3 minute read
The Group 3 Silver Bowl left us with more questions than answers, though after Sunday's Group 2 Stewards' Cup, it is confirmed, What's New is a smart horse.
Sent out at 75-1 in the first leg of the 4YO Challenge, What's New surprisingly was too good late and notably landed Raquel Clark her first Group success.
Of the 16 that faced the starter there, 14 took their place on Sunday with What's New again proving too good, though kept a lot safer by punters, sent out at 9-1.
Having taken full advantage of 15/10 ride from Clark in the first leg, What's New again enjoyed a peach of a ride with new jockey Ben Thompson weaving a bit of magic.
Starting from barrier 12, Thompson wasted little time getting her to the inside, snagging her at the start, before quickly getting across to the rails, settling midfield.
Pinching runs along the inside, What's New gradually improved her position and was within striking distance on straightening.
Travelling well just behind the speed, she took a split at the 300m, with Thompson barely going around a horse.
Cut loose shortly after, she burst through hitting the front approaching the 100m.
Race favourite Sacred Croix picked up late, but was unable to run her down with What's New saluting by three-quarters of a length.
An unlikely Quinella in the first leg ($376.20), a few more punters found it on Sunday ($26) with the pair again proving a class above.
Trainer Cliff Brown suggested the Group 1 Singapore Derby [1800m] (final leg) maybe a bridge too far for What's New, however you would still expect she takes her place.
"I'm not convinced yet What's New is a Derby horse. The 1800m might be too long for her," Brown said.
"She was strong in the end."
Much like the first leg, Sacred Croix was the run of the race, forced to sit wide throughout and while entitled to weaken in the straight, he kept coming right to the line.
Starting the $3.40 favourite, it was hard not to be impressed by his performance and given the Derby has always been the Grand Final, more than happy to stick with him.
Returning a new career peak, he is trending the right way and just needs to draw a gate to be winning the Derby.