Trainer Danny O’Brien pulled the right rein when he sent Showmanship to Sydney for Saturday’s Group III Mostyncopper Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday in preference to the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
With champion jockey James McDonald in the saddle, Showmanship charged home to defeat Prime Candidate (Denman) by a long neck with a further one and a half lengths back to Rocketing By (So You Think) in third.
It was the second stakes success for the 7yo son of Showcasing (GB), who won the Listed MVRC Bendigo Bank Handicap at his final start for Grant and Alana Williams before his transfer to O’Brien.
The Peters investment colour bearer reeled off six consecutive wins culminating with the Listed Bendigo Bank Handicap.
At his first start for O’Brien, Showmanship finished third behind Frankie Pinot in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool.
A $145,000 purchase by John Chalmers from the Haunui Farm draft at the 2017 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Showmanship advances his record to eight wins, and a third from 10 starts with earnings of $422,475.
“I’m thankful to get the ride from Danny (O’Brien) and Mr Peters,” McDonald said.
“They are always a force when they come over to the eastern coast, and they seem to take a lot of prizemoney.
“He is a classy horse and was prepped to perfection. He was here to run well, and he did that. I was glad he came to Sydney today.
“He’s an old gentleman. He just does what he has to do, but his win record is superb. He is a real winner, knows where the line is and is a pleasure to ride.
Danny (O’Brien) said there was plenty to come. It was a lovely stepping stone. He got in well at the weights and is a real progressive horse.”
Showmanship is a half-brother to Singapore Gold Cup winner Bahana (Elusive City), honoured as the Champion Stayer in Singapore in 2016, and a brother to the Group III placed La Mouline.
His dan Khales (Don Eduardo) is a daughter of Danehill’s Group II ATC Magic Night Stakes winner Precious Glitter.
Purchased by Tom Lane Equine for $8,500 at the 2016 NZB National Weanling Broodmare and Mixed Sale, Khales has a 2yo Belardo (IRE) filly and was covered by Per Incanto (USA) last spring.
