Mount Kilcoy relishes step up to 2000m

Up-and-coming stayer Mount Kilcoy has relished a step up to 2000m for the first time to score a convincing win at Caulfield.

Apprentice Ben Allen had the Darren Weir-trained colt back in the field early in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Cash In Handicap for three-year-olds before being able to track favourite Masculino mid-race.

Mount Kilcoy ($3.20) followed Masculino ($2.25) to the home turn before Allen had the colt ready to pounce on the outside from the top of the straight.

Carrying 5kg less than Masculino, Mount Kilcoy sprinted to the front with 250m to run then drew clear late to beat the favourite by two lengths.

Borella ($51) hit the line well for third, another one length away.

Weir said Mount Kilcoy was bought as a potential staying horse and believed he would have no trouble stepping up to 2400m.

Mount Kilcoy was backing up seven days after he ran home strongly for second in the Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) at Flemington and now has two wins and three seconds from five starts.

“He’s a beauty,” Weir said.

“He really relished the step up in trip and he got some sort of ride today.

“I loved the way he switched off and relaxed. He’s been a bit of a keen-going horse but he’s finally really starting to switch off. And obviously if they are going to get over a trip they need to switch off in the run.”

Allen brought up a winning double, having earlier won aboard the Aaron Purcell-trained Guizot in the Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap (1700m).

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