Rainbow scores stylish win in Naturalism Stakes
Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes says consistent galloper Rainbow Styling has accomplished his spring mission with his win in the Group III Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
The son of Zabeel put the writing on the wall with a handy first-up effort behind Sydney’s weight-for-age stars Theseo and Metal Bender in the Group III Chelmsford Stakes, before showing his toughness with a game win in Saturday’s $125,000 race.
Jockey Chris Munce had Rainbow Styling travelling comfortably on the back of a strong pace, before angling the six-year-old into the clear in the straight and grinding out a gutsy win.
Rainbow Styling’s win put a dent in the Caulfield Cup aspirations of the placegetters, Moudre and Valdemoro, but Hawkes was reluctant to get carried away with the Nick Moraitis-owned galloper’s success.
“I said to Chris Munce before the race there is not many horses in this race which would get beaten 6-1/2 lengths by Theseo first-up,” Hawkes said.
“It’s a leader’s track and he rode him well albeit he was looking to get out on the corner. I was hoping he was going to stay there but he went back to the inside.
“He’s certainly not the elite, but he’s a seven-year-old gelding by Zabeel and he’s starting to hit his straps as only a Zabeel can do.
“Today was his target. We were just happy to bring him to Melbourne and look for the right sort of race. He’s not really a Caulfield Cup horse because he doesn’t run a mile and a half.”
Brad Waters
Photo by Bruno Cannatelli - ultimateracingphotos.com.au