Fresh of a win with the Galileo filly Line Of Duty in Friday's Gr I Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs, Godolphin opened the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington with the striking Lonhro colt Ranier saluting in the $200,000 Group III Carbine Club Stakes.
Given a perfect ride by Hugh Bowman from an inside barrier, Ranier travelled sweetly behind the pace set by Grim Reaper and Quackerjack.
Bowman found a narrow seam between the leaders soon after straightening but soon came under attack from his old foe Wild Planet.
The Hawkes Racing son of Animal Planet had beaten Ranier in the Listed Poseidon Stakes at Flemington but had to bow to the Lonhro colt in the Listed Gothic Stakes at Caulfield.
Try as he might Wild Planet could get no closer than a head on the line with Secret Blaze (Sizzling) one and a half lengths back in third. (photos Grant Courtney )
The Poseidon Stakes was the first win for Ranier who was touted as one of the nation's best maidens after four seconds and a third at his first five starts.
Bowman praised trainer James Cummings for targeting the race.
"He's a very good horse, I was so happy to draw barrier one but full credit to James Cummings.
"When he won at Caulfield I said I'm not convinced he's a miler he might be a real sprinter, but James wanted to test the horse at this distance because it opens up so many options for him in the autumn. "He has matured so much as the preparation has gone on and he thoroughly deserved the win today."
"He's a beautiful colt bred at Woodlands Stud. It means a lot on the opening day of the Flemington Carnival when the eyes of the world on are on our racing that the blue colours salute in the Carbine Club. It's a great way to start the week but the Carbine Club is a time-honoured race in its own right and hopefully, it's heralded Ranier's career now that the penny has dropped.
"He's a sharp colt by Lonhro out of a (Commands) mare and he has to show the strength to get 1600 metres. He did that today and has earmarked himself as a guineas colt, probably the Australian Guineas back here in March next year."
The good-looking son of Lonhro is the second foal of the talented Commands mare Kanzan whose three stakes wins included the Group III BRC Glenlogan Park Stakes.
A half-sister to the stakes-placed Giresun (Domesday), Kanzan has a 2yo filly by Medaglia D'Oro (USA) named Katalin and foaled a colt by Lonhro on September 9.
