Robusto defies weight to win
Trained by Bjorn Baker, the Churchill five-year-old - who saluted in the Group 2 The Ingham (1,600m) on Dec 14, 2024 - was ridden by Joshua Parr again, after the pair finished an unlucky second to Estadio Mestalla in the Listed Winter Stakes (1,400m) at his last start on July 5.
With Robusto shouldering the top impost of 60kg again, Parr made sure history would not repeat itself at the Winter Challenge Day meeting this time.
After sitting Robusto in fourth on the rails - behind Accredited (Alysha Collett) and Robusto's stablemate Thunderlips (Ashley Morgan) while Winter Stakes winner Estadio Mestalla (Dylan Gibbons) raced three wide in third - the Sydney-based rider swiftly slotted his mount in between Accredited and Thunderlips upon straightening and went for broke at the 250m.
Estadio Mestalla, who led all the way in the Winter Stakes, could not mount a challenge, but it was Accredited who would not go away. Parr had to pull out all the stops on Robusto ($11) before he eventually got the better of Accredited in a thrilling finish.
Saltcoats (Zac Lloyd), who had been trailing behind the winner, punched home for third for trainer Chris Waller.
Baker was rapt with the win and has picked out two feature races for the Darby Racing-owned galloper in the upcoming Sydney Spring Racing Carnival.
"He's been a bit of a revelation," said Baker to Australian Turf Club.
"He was unlucky last time, but he's won in The Ingham and it's good to see him back (winning) today with the weights.
"We can try and head towards the Spring with a bit of fitness on our side. Great ride by Josh Parr.
"His work on Tuesday was a really good winning workout. He definitely ran up to that.
"We might even go to the Missile Stakes, back to 1,200m, and possibly look at a race like the Winx (Stakes) if he went well there."
The Group 2 Missile Stakes (1,200m) is on Aug 9 at Royal Randwick, while the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1,400m) will be run two weeks later on Aug 23.
Parr was glad Robusto showed great tenacity to win.
"He's had to carry the weight. We got through and it turned out to be somewhat of a dog fight," he said.
"I had him on the back of my mind all day when Timmy (Tim) Clark won The Ingham aboard this horse. (It was) the fight that he showed once in the battle, so I was relying on that, but thank god we got him to win."
sharonzhang@sph.com.sg
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