Malahat stakes bound after strong win

Tom Baddock - Wednesday August 30

Godolphin colt Malahat produced an excellent performance to defeat the older horses in the Schweppes Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Advertisement
James Cummings. Photo: Godolphin

The three-year-old pushed into a leading position from barrier one before easing to trail Bright Future and Professor Marx. He was then eased across heels and chimed in quickly at the 300m for a comfortable three-quarters of a length victory over the fast-finishing Rockafella ($11) with a further length back to Bright Future ($31) in third.

"He's a really nice colt," James Cummings said. "He's got a good record here at Canterbury, he's got a good record full stop.

"He's got form around all the right horses and it was good to see him beat the older horses.

"It's not the easiest thing in the world to do and we were hoping for him to come here and take a nice step forward from he produced first-up when he was unlucky not to win. He got the advantage of a really good run in the race today."

The performance has prompted Cummings to set his sights higher with the son of Exceed And Excel.

"He's a very fast young colt and if he's up to a race like the Heritage then we'll give that some thought," Cummings said.

"It's not an easy feat for a horse of his age to beat the older horses and he's done that well so he can race well back against three-year-olds."

Champion Jockey Hugh Bowman believes we may still see the best of Malahat.

"He's beaten the older horses today but I'm a little suspicious he might show a lot more when he's in a high-pressure race where he can sit back mid-field or a bit closer and I believe he'll have an electric turn of foot against better class horses," Bowman said.

"He's going to have to keep progressing if he's going to measure up to the better class horses but from what I've felt this afternoon it wouldn't surprise at all if he did."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Savabeel Stakes-Winner in the Making
A patient approach with Force Of Nature is being rewarded in spades, with the son of Savabeel winning his way toward black-type assignments.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 28
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Steve Davis Awarded NZTBA Personality of the Year
Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
This will be the last Juvenile Trial Watch story for this season with all these youngsters to turn three on Friday and there was plenty of action with eight heats won by 2YOs and two more of this season’s G3 2YO’s North England and Memo stepping out against the older G1 stars.
Closer Look at Written Tycoon – The Golden Crop Delivers
The sun might be setting on the stud career of Written Tycoon, but he’s not going into the twilight years quietly and is set to be crowned Champion Australian 3YO Sire this season, which is probably something predicted by many when he got the opportunity of a lifetime to cover at Arrowfield Stud for one season in 2020.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 29
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Stallion Shares in Cool Aza Beel Offer Rare Opportunity via Magic Millions Virtual Sale
Breeders will have a timely chance to invest in one of Australia’s most exciting young stallions next week, with two individual stallion shares in Cool Aza Beel to be offered via the Magic Millions Virtual Sale on Tuesday, August 5.
Fifth Winner For Hanseatic As Audio Pop Cam Wins
With four jumpouts under her belt, winning the last three, Tony and Calvin McEvoy's Hanseatic filly Audio Pop Cam was too good for her rivals, starting favourite to win the Unox Casa Maiden Plate (1100m) at Pakenham with ease.
Tenth Winner for Kings Legacy
King’s Legacy has had a promising start to his stud career with his tenth winner arriving on Tuesday while at the Rosehill trials one of his unraced youngsters produced a slick trial win to hold out Group performing colts Skyhook and West of Swindon.
Beaufort Downs Celebrate Stakes Success with Platinum Diamond
A pedigree close to the hearts of Beaufort Downs has added another black-type strike to the North Canterbury farm’s roll of honour.