When dashing grey three year-old Ichnusa won on debut at Seymour last month he caught the eye as a stayer on the up and the son of Ghaiyyath (IRE) confirmed his potential when scoring at Caulfield on Saturday over 2000m.
Prepared by Ciaron Maher, Ichnusa was bred by Gilgai Farm and retained to race in partnership with the trainer adopting a patient approach with a colt that is bred to stay all day.
He kicked off his career win a maiden win over 1600m and stepped straight up in trip for this tougher assignment with Jackson Radley to ride.
The widest runner turning for home, Ichnusa warmed to the task, accelerating all the way to the line to win by three-quarters of a length.
"I thought he did a really good job as he travelled in patches," said assistant trainer Jack Turnbull.
"The race was run at a farcical tempo. He was on the bit, he was off the bit, and he was running in and out.
"He's got such a big action and he's such a talented horse and does it so easily.
"His half-sister Suntora gets over a trip and and he is bred to get a mile-and-a-half and beyond.
"When we were training him in his earlier stages, Rick (Jamieson, Gilgai Farm) was very keen for us to be patient and let him grow out, strengthen, and this is reward for that."
Ichnusa is a half-brother to stakes-winner Suntora and is the second winner from three foals from Group III placed Mastercraftsman mare Kansas Sunflower (NZ), a grand-daughter of French Group winning stayer Bellarida.
This European female family is long on class and stamina with Group I winners packing out the pedigree page.
Gilgai Farm sold a weanling sister to Ichnusa at the Inglis Great Southern Sale last year for $135,000 and the mare is due to foal this spring to Pride of Dubai after having a year off.
Ghaiyyath is due back at Darley Victoria this spring at the increased fee of $88,000.
