Devoted convincing win in the Raconteur Stakes at Belmont
Devoted has taken out the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m) for three-year-olds at Belmont in fine style for Banjup trainer Michael Grantham. The win taking the Xtravagant geldings record to three wins and two placings from just six career starts and just under $230,000 in prizemoney for owner/breeder Bob Peters.
Jumping well from barrier nine, jockey Clint Johnson-Porter rode the horse a treat, settling prominently on the outside behind the leaders. Into the straight Johnson-Porter asked and received as Devoted quickly moved up on the outside, shooting to the lead and was off and gone.
Rokanori made a huge run from back in the field under Chris Parnham to take second for trainer Grant Williams but was unable to catch up to Devoted who held on strongly for the 0.75-length win.
The win also gave Johnson-Porter back-to-back successful weekends after also winning the Group 3 Belmont Sprint on God has Chosen last weekend.
A winner at his first start in a maiden at Northam back in October when in the stable of Grant and Alana Williams, Devoted went on for a second start third placing at Ascot. He impressed enough in those first two races to warrant a run in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m), beaten into fifth place by less than 2 lengths before contesting the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m), running a good third before being put out to the paddock.
Devoted changed trainers after his spell, joining the Grantham stable. Two easy trial wins set him up for a first up victory at Belmont on May 14 before returning to the same track on Saturday to claim his first Stakes victory and potentially set him towards the Group 1 Railway Stakes and Group 1 Kingston Town Classic later in the year.