Talented colt Marine One has been a work in progress for much of his career to date with one step forward and one step back, but he took a giant leap on Saturday at Caulfield when winning the Group II MRC Rubiton Stakes (1100m) over a select field of sprinters.
Now with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace after starting his career with Lloyd Kennewell, Marine One had run well in Benchmark 70 sprints at his previous two starts after an unplaced effort in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes back in the spring.
With a light weight, a good barrier and Jamie Kah in the saddle, Marine One produced a career best performance to run down seasoned campaigner Oxley Road to win by a length and a quarter.
"He's just gradually progressed. The team have done a great job with him down at the beach gradually getting everything right and then just being able to to stay up for as long as he has,” said David Eustace.
"He's a colt and requires a bit of work in between as well. He really knows how to race well now. He relaxes early and he's strong late and he showed there again today that the 1200 won't be a problem if we choose to go there.
"He's a son of Capitalist, who is doing a great job at stud and he is now a Group II winner, so he's got a bright future on the track whatever he does then goes to stud.
"He'll be looking to building on that record but we'll sit down with the ownership and work out where we go now."
A $500,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Newgate Farm draft for Kennewell Racing/Group 1 Bloodstock P/L (FBAA), Marine One runs for a syndicate that includes his co-breeders China Horse Club and Newgate partners.
He has the overall record of four wins and two placings from 10 starts with prizemoney just shy of $400,000.
Bred by China Horse Club in partnership, Marine One was foaled and raised at Newgate and is the first winner for stakes-winning Snitzel mare Golconda, who was also placed in a Group I VRC Oaks.
Golconda has no yearling for the sales this year, but did have a filly last spring by Written Tycoon and was then covered again by Capitalist.
Marine One is the sixth stakes-winner for Capitalist, who has 17 entries for Inglis Premier and 12 for Inglis Easter.
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