While the deteriorating conditions at Randwick resulted in the scratching of the unraced Qatars Choice, it proved a blessing for the odds-on favourite Tarpaulin, who put a talented field of 2-year-olds to the sword in the Ranvet Hcp (1100m).
Ridden by James McDonald for James Cummings, the striking son of Harry Angel (IRE), tracked the leader Ride The River. The last to come off the bit, Tarpaulin strode to the lead at the 300m and was untroubled to defeat the $1,250,000 Snitzel filly Sakima by two and a half lengths with the Headwater gelding Ride The River four and a quarter lengths back in third.
Tarpaulin finished fourth on debut behind the smart Straight Charge at Randwick in December before coming off a 26-week break to finish second to the promising Tassort gelding Mawjood over 1100m at Warwick Farm on June 26.
The Godolphin homebred broke his maiden at Warwick Farm on a heavy track on July 10. Despite racing three wide the trip, Tarpaulin decisively defeated his stablemate Diamond Firetail, who then travelled south to finish second to Photograph (Blue Point) at Sandown-Hillside.
Cummings holds the Harry Angel (IRE) colt in high regard and will give him his chance in the early spring 3-year-old stakes races.
"He's a lovely colt and very exciting," Cummings said.
"That's a good progression from putting away a handy maiden field. I liked the win of the second horse (Sakima) ten days ago.
"To put that margin on the field today bodes well for his prospects in races like the Rosebud. Hopefully, he won't go up too much in the weights after that win.
"He's line-bred to Mr P (Mr Prospector) and has a big future with an excellent pedigree.
"Harry Angel is doing a very good job with the mares he has had so far.
"It's exciting for the spring."
Tarpaulin is a half-brother to the Group II ATC Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Stakes winner and $1.2million earner Aft Cabin (Astern), Group III ATC PJ Bell Handicap winner Multaja (Medaglia d'Oro), and Listed ATC Lonhro Plate winner Veranillo (Medaglia d'Oro).
He is the sixth winner for the Lonhro mare Shelters, a sister to Group 1 BRC TJ Smith Classic (JJ Atkins) winner Benfica.
Shelters has a yearling Brazen Beau colt named Cavern, a weanling colt by Astern, and was bred back to him.
