Guineas prospect Farson takes out Group 2 Autumn Classic
THE money was well-placed in the Group 2 Autumn Classic at Caulfield on Saturday as hot favourite Farson was too good for its rivals.
The Waterhouse/Bott-trained gelding has been in grand form this campaign in winning four of its five starts and punters confidently backed it into $2.10 at Sportsbet.com.au.
From barrier nine it used plenty of speed early to sit outside the pace set by Elsaray, but it was a sitting duck at the top of the straight as Elsaray weakened noticeably.
Under the urging of Stephen Baster, Farson was able to put a quick couple of lengths on the chasers which was headed by Cliff Hanger with champion Brazilian Joao Moreira in the saddle.
“Today we got there too soon. I didn’t want to be getting there at the top of the straight, but Katelyn’s horse was gone so I had no choice,” Baster said. “I wanted to keep momentum up and to his credit he kept hitting the line strong.”
Baster is unbeaten in three starts aboard the talented gelding which he believes has a big future ahead of it.
“He’s a beauty. He’s learning every time he goes around,” Baster said. “I think he’s got a lot of improvement in him again.”
Baster admitted that Farson isn’t the most excitable horse on the track, but believes it hasn’t fully learnt how to race professionally yet.
“I’ve got to hunt him around in the morning to run even time on the track,” Baster said. “He’s that lazy, he only does as much as you make him do.
“He’s pulled up well, he’s done it well within himself. He’s got a big future and I don’t think Gai and really screwed him down yet.
“He’s done it all by himself and he’s a credit to Adrian (Bott) and Gai, they’ve really looked after him.”
The ultimate target for Farson is the Guineas, but it will likely start in the Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley.
“He’ll go into the Alister Clark at Moonee Valley in two weeks time,” Waterhouse said.
“He’s a really beautiful horse, he’s just totally unassuming. Saddling up in the stalls he looks the goods, he’s never spent a penny in his track work, he’s very relaxed and he gives it all on race day.”
Joao Moreira battled on well aboard Cliff Hanger for second before taking out the Group 2 Armanasco Stakes aboard Savanna Amour later in the day.