Having not won since June 2024 at Group 2 level at Ascot, a front running ride by James McDonald aboard the Kris Lees trained Changingoftheguard (IRE) saw the son of Galileo win the $200,000 Listed ATC City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m).
Coming off a last start second at Flemington, the 7yo gelding contested this race last year, finishing fourth before going on to finish second at his next start in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m).
In the smallest field of the day, the race turned into a tactical affair as McDonald took Chaingoftheguard forward from the outside gate and as the field passed the winning post on the first occasion, the gelding was about two lengths clear.
Continuing to further increase his leading margin, Chaingoftheguard controlled the race throughout with the Chris Waller-trained race favourite Travolta (GB) (Lope de Vega) settling in second.
About six lengths clear with half the race run, McDonald simply kept going and at one stage held a ten-length leading margin on the rest of the field.
As the home turn was reached and Zac Lloyd started to make his run aboard Travolta, it appeared as if it was too little too late as Changingofhtegaurd kept going, and while the margin was whittled down to less than a length on the line, the son of Galileo recorded his first local victory, and fourth overall from 15 starts.
Holding nominations to both the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), it will be interesting to see how Changingoftheguard continues to step up as he possibly heads towards the Spring staying features.
Taking his earnings to $747,850 with his third black type success, the former Aidan O’Brein trained Changingoftheguard is one of two stakes winners for his Excellent Art sired dam Lady Lara from the family of international Group 1 winners Footstepsinthesand, Pedro The Great, Curvy and Power to name a few, while another name familiar to the Australia racing public is Mahler, third in the 2007 Melbourne Cup behind Efficient.
Bred by B V Sangster, Changingoftheguard is one of 386 stakes winners for former Coolmore super sire Galileo who passed away back in 2021.
