Reserve Bank charges home to claim Group 1 Goodwood

Gun colt Reserve Bank delivered a stunning late burst to claim Saturday’s $1 million Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville, giving Mick Price his fourth win in Adelaide’s premier sprint and jockey Jamie Melham back-to-back wins in the race.

Sent out at $5.50, the three-year-old son of Capitalist overcame a messy start to notch his first Group 1 victory and a hat-trick of wins, taking his record to five from nine starts.

“He’s a Group 1 winner now as a colt, isn’t he? He’s a beautiful, sound, big, strong and nice colt,” Price said after the race. “I was a bit concerned in the run where he was. I did say to her (Jamie), ‘he’s a nice, flow-along sort of horse, he doesn’t like the mixed messages and don’t drag him back.’ But thankfully they ran along and he was allowed to use his big stride late and he took off.”

2025 Group 1 Goodwood Replay – Reserve Bank

Reserve Bank reared at the gates and missed the start before settling towards the rear as Press Down ($51) and Climbing Star ($26) poured on the early pressure. Melham held her nerve, waited for a run at the turn, and when the gap opened at the 200m, she burst through the middle to take over.

“Nothing went to plan. He reared out the gates, missed the start, but I just got a dream run,” Melham said. “Giga Kick was on our outside, and I thought if I drag back now and get on his backside, he’s going to be too sharp. So we just rode for luck. The gaps came and I was just a passenger. Mick’s got this horse absolutely flying – it was a very impressive win.”

Melham’s win marked her second Goodwood crown in as many years, having won on Benedetta in 2024.

“I thought, I can’t leave Adelaide without getting another Group 1,” she said. “It’s a very special race to win, and nothing’s like winning a race back home in Adelaide. My aunty is here, aunty Jan, my family are here – it’s very special.”

Local hope Sir Sway ($61) ran a career-best to grab second for trainers Sue and Jason Jaensch, while Everest champ Giga Kick ($2.05) found the line well out wide first-up to finish third.

Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, also praised the efforts of apprentice Matthew Chadwick, who strapped the colt and earlier finished second aboard Tripod Terror.

“That’s a colt, isn’t it?” Price said. “He’s actually got a good temperament and a good brain, but he comes to the races and that Matthew Chadwick has been wrestling him for three hours. He’s full of himself – a big alpha male type colt… that’s him.”

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