With a roll-call of winners that includes Apache Cat and Royal Symphony, the Listed VRC Taj Rossi Series Final (Gibson Carmichael Stakes) has proven to be a valuable late season guide for the upcoming three-year season and Saturday's winner Good 'n' Fast looks likely to add to the record.
Coming off a solid win over 1400 metres at Flemington on June 23, Good 'n' Fast was given a patient ride by Luke Nolen, settling midfield as Whitemore and Gregorian Chant cut out the early running.
Getting the back of Craig Williams on Scottish Rogue turning into the straight, Good 'n' Fast gradually got the better of that stubborn rival.
The son of Sebring edged out Scottish Rogue by a long-head with Goldifox four lengths back in third.
Trained by David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig, Good 'n' Fast advances his record to two wins and a second from three starts with earnings of $180,200.
"I think he has a touch of class about him," David Hayes said.
"Horses over the years have come out of this race and done very well in the spring and I think he might be one.
"We will set him for the (Caulfield) Guineas, probably run him in one of the previews. He will not run for six or seven weeks now - he's in terrific order and we will have him terrific in September.
"Extra Zero finished second in this race and then nearly won the Victoria Derby in the spring, but I think this horse is more a Guineas type.
"He's a very good-looking horse and a stallion prospect, I hope.
"We will let him go out in the paddock in the day, box him at night and the water walker in the mornings."
A homebred for Peter Devitt and the Gordon family, Good 'n' Fast did not go through a sales ring however some of his siblings have been regular attendees at the sales in recent years.
The son of Sebring is a half-brother to Fast 'n' Rocking (Fastnet Rock) a stable favourite but not so often the punter's pal.
A 4-time stakes-winner, Fast 'n' Rocking placed four times at Group 1 level, the Blue Diamond Stakes, Oakleigh Plate, Rupert Clarke Stakes and Winterbottom Stakes on the way to earning over $1.4 million.
Good 'n' Fast is the eighth live foal of the Hennessy mare For the Good Times who was a Listed winner in South Australia.
On the search for mares to support their recently retired Nicconi, the Devitts and Gordons purchased For The Good Times for $135,000 at the 2010 magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
From the famed Eureka Stud family of Just Now, Scenic Warrior and Shiva's Revenge, For The Good Times was carrying Fast 'n' Rocking at the time of her sale.
She has not had much luck in recent seasons. Her 2015 Sebring foal was born dead and she slipped to Sebring in 2016 before being covered by the Widden champion again last spring.
Good 'n' Fast becomes the 45th stakes-winner for Sebring (picture d) who will command a fee of $66,000 at Widden Stud in 2018.
