Co-trainer David Hayes earmarked the Caulfield – Melbourne Cup double for Super Titus (GB) after the European import broke his duck in Australia with a tough performance in Saturday's Listed Heatherlie Hcp (1700m) at Caulfield.
Jye McNeil was caught three deep the trip on the son of Dansili who did not shirk his task in the straight to defeat the Chris Waller-trained Captain Cook (GB) by three-quarters of a length with a half-length back to the fast-finishing Etymology who edged out the super-consistent Steel Prince (IRE) for third. (images Grant Courtney )
The lightly raced 6yo geldings previous win came at York in August last year when defeating the recent Flemington winner Lord Belvedere (GB) by four lengths.
"He can be a bit headstrong at times," McNeil said.
"I rode him first-up at Flemington, we went back that day and got him to settle. He did want to lay in on me so today I carried the whip in the left and was ready for him, although thankfully he went fairly straight."
David Hayes said Super Titus brave in overcoming a troubled run.
"I thought he did a great job because he raced without cover for the whole race and second up he had enough stamina to hold on and win a good race," Hayes said.
"We are really exited, he is owned by a great bunch of stable supporters.
"I think he will get better as the races get longer because his English form is over a mile and a half plus.
Hayes said the Naturalism stakes will be the next start for Super Titus (GB).
"He's just got to get his rating up, winning a stakes race should get him in the Naturalism and then the Bart Cummings, which are the two qualifiers that hopefully get him in to the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup with not a lot of weight."
Super Titus (GB) is one of four winners from as many to race out of the Dubai Destination mare Mirror Lake who is also the dam of the Group III Gladness Stakes winner Imaging (Oasis Dream).
The winner of two Listed Stakes and runner-up in the Group III Select Stakes at Goodwood, Mirror Lake is out of the Sadler's Wells mare Reflections who is a half-sister to the dam of the very good West Australian stallion Trade Fair.
Super Titus (GB) becomes the 138th stakes-winner for Juddmonte Farms stalwart Dansili who has earned success in Australia through the triple Group 1 winner Foreteller and the Group 1 Sydney Cup winner Grand Marshall.
