Local hope London Banker turned back a strong interstate challenge to open his stakes account in Saturday’s Group III Tattersall's Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm.
Ridden by Willie Pike for Kelly Schweida, the 6yo son of Tavistock sat just off the speed and stuck solid to the fence in defeating Seat Of Power (IRE) (Sea The Stars) by two lengths with Esti Feny (HUN) (Pigeon Catcher) a half-length back in third.
It was a maiden stakes success for London Banker at his seventh attempt having not run a place in his previous six.
The son of Tavistock advances his record to nine wins, a second, and four thirds from 28 starts with earnings of $407,094.
“You don’t like to get too far ahead of yourself but we targeted two races, this race and the Caloundra Cup next week,” Schweida said.
“We gave him a really good break because he did a good job last time. It has taken him a little while, got the gun ride from Willie and well done to all the staff at home. They put in a lot of work.
“In running you wanted to be on him, you just didn’t want anything to go wrong. He looked good a long way out but that doesn’t always happen. He got the gun ride.
“We’ll go to the Caloundra Cup next week and will have an easy week. He’s backed up before and won. That’s been the plan all the way along.”
A $100,000 purchase for Roger James from the Kilgravin Lodge draft at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, London Banker is the 37th stakes-winner for the late Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock and his ninth in Australia this season.
Carrying the colours of Ron and Judy Wanless, London Banker is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the Encosta De Lago mare Palos De Lago a half-sister to Group 1 WS Cox Plate, Group 1 Yalumba Stakes, Group 1 Underwood Stakes and Group 1 CF Orr Stakes winner El Segundo (Pins).
Palos De Lago has a weanling colt by Proisir and was covered by him again last spring.
