Kobayashi wins 2017 Thoroughbred Club Cup Listed $120,000 at Caulfield (VIC), 1200m.

The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained colt Kobayashi was quite impressive in winning this Listed race, his second win in four starts to date. He was quickly away from barrier seven and went straight to the front. He then steadied the tempo (first 600m 37.42) before lifting the pace at the 600m. He got a break on straightening and was not threatened from that point to score a very smart win, sprinting a quick last 600m (33.85).

Al Passem, a winner of his first two starts in easier grades, settled well in second place, was under riding on turning for home but he continued to fight on well in the sprint home for a very good second.

The favourite Doubt I’m Dreaming was a bit slow to move, settled in fourth place, one off the rails, before moving up to third rounding the home turn. He then kept battling on well in the straight in the sprint home to finish third, albeit racing a bit below expectations, perhaps due to the Soft 5 track and/or the lack of a genuine early tempo.

Indernile raced in fifth place, one off the rails, moved up (wide) nearing the home turn and did well in making late ground for (4.8 lengths) fourth.