Assertive Approach lost his unbeaten record at his previous start at Flemington but he was back in the winner's circle on Saturday when leading at every call under Dwayne Dunn in the Listed Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Winner of the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville on July 27, the Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained gelding defeated the fast-finishing Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) by a half-neck with Oak Door (Commands) one and three-quarter lengths back in third. (image Grant Courtney )
Assertive Approach advances his record to 4 wins and 1 second from 5 starts with earnings of $221,955.
"I thought he did a pretty good job," Wayne Hawkes said.
"The second horse has had 26 starts and we've only had five.
"He's just a baby and learning what's it all about, he'll be some horse this time next year that's for sure.
"He just doesn't know how to knuckle down and attack the line. That may be a little unfair to him because I don't know what the sectionals were. He probably ran a great last furlong. He just wanders a little bit and that's what got him beaten the other day.
"It's only his second preparation and we haven't had him that long, so we just want to look after him.
"You just have to love him because he has the greatest attitude.
"That's what the Akeed Mofeed's are. The ones we have got are all the same they are real trainer's horses because if you have got a great attitude you can do what you like with them and they will lick the bin and that's half the battle.
"These Akeed Mofeed's they just keep on winning."
A homebred for Goldin Farms, Assertive Approach is out of the Choisir mare Arrival who was purchased out of the Segenhoe draft at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $115,000.
A stakes-placed winner of two races, Arrival is a three-quarter-sister to dual Group III winner Tuscan Sling (Danehill Dancer) and the unraced Single View who is the dam of the Group III MRC Coongy Hcp winner Kiwia.
Arrival has an unraced 2yo colt by Akeed Mofeed (GB) named The Phantom Bantam. She has a yearling filly by the Hong Kong Cup winner and was bred back to him again last season after missing to Pierro in 2017.
Akeed Mofeed's fee has been set at $16,500 at Swettenham Stud for the forthcoming season.
