In contrast to his previous start in the Group IVRC Australian Guineas (1600m),
Cliff's Edge was allowed an uncontested lead and it proved decisive.With John Allen suspended, Jamie Mott took the ride and counted out metronomic sectionals until passing the 600m where he allowed Cliff's Edge to stride on and the $1.70 favourite was never seriously threatened.
Mott said he was content when Cliff's Edge relaxed for him after passing the post the first time.
"He went a little bit hard in the Guineas last start but he's clearly very well and they've done a great job with him," Mott said.
"He seems to enjoy bowling along - to the post the first time we were going a bit quick and I was thinking he'll have to be good to keep going at this rate.
"Fortunately they backed off me andhe came back underneath and once he did that it was all over.
"He's a high-class galloper and I'm very thankful to Darren Weir and the owners for giving me the opportunity to ride him."
Weir had won races earlier in the night with King's Command and Whispering Brook and said he relaxed when he saw Cliff's Edge alone in front.
"He's been down at Warrnambool and at the beach and freshened up a treat," Weir said.
"When I saw them back off him and let him slow up, Mottie got two or three cheap sectionals and I thought he would be hard to beat.
"He's got a great racing style and he's just a tough horse. We'll see how he comes through this and then think about going to Sydney."
A $60,000 purchase by Darren Weir Racing / John Foote Bloodstock from session two of the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Cliff's Edge has the overall record of sic wins and four seconds from 14 starts with prizemoney topping $800,000.
Cliff's Edge is the tenth foal of the Snaadee mare Simulation whose eight wins ranged in distance from 1100 metres to 3000 metres.
She is the dam of eight winners including the speedy Delago's Lad (Delago Brom) who was stakes-placed in the Listed VRC Maribyrnong Trial Stakes.
Simulation's unraced dam Wodgina (USA) (Verbatim) is a half-sister to the grand racemare All Along a 7-time Group I winner including the 1983 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Simulation died in November 2016. Her last foal a yearling colt by Danerich made $125,000 at the recent Inglis Premier Yearling Sale when secured by Darren Weir.
