Chivalry landed a telling blow in scoring in the Group 3 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Chivalry, who showed considerable promise in four runs as a two-year-old, resumed with a most impressive first-up win.
He was eased from his wide barrier and settled near last in the 12-horse field. He was conceding the leader at least eight lengths coming to the turn where he was pushed wide.
He then put in a strong finishing run, getting to fifth at the 100m and then stormed home to grab a narrow but impressive win, looking set for a top three- year-old season.
Nordic Empire raced in sixth place, one off the rails. He moved up wide rounding the home turn, got to the lead at the 100m but was overtaken in the last few strides for a very good second.
Awesome Rock was also ridden quietly from a wide barrier and raced in tenth place to the home turn. He switched wide at the 300m, put in a good run to challenge at the 100m and he then fought on for a close third, putting up a good first-up run.
Forgive And Forget was fifth, one off the rails, improved to be a handy fourth at the 200m and then kept battling quite well to hold that position to the post for fourth just under two lengths.
Stingray settled back in ninth place, one off the rails. He looked for a run between runners in the straight but was cut out at the 200m and fought on again quite well for fifth beaten two lengths.
Cornrow showed good pace and drove through in the early stages to take the lead. He dashed clear rounding the home turn and was only overhauled on passing the 100m to finish sixth beaten three and a half lengths after running a bold race.
The $6.00 favourite Novel Dancer was a handy fourth on the rails but was under pressure from the home turn and was eased down in the latter stages to finish last.
