Timeform Recap of the 2016 Winter Stakes won by Oxford Poet for trainer Kim Waugh and jockey Tim Clark at Rosehill Gardens

WINTER STAKES

Oxford Poet claimed victory in the only feature race held at Rosehill on Saturday when taking out the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m).

Going straight to the lead from barrier 3, the Kim Waugh-trained runner proved too strong for his rivals, running out a three-quarter-length winner over Zin Zan Eddie in second with favourite Ninth Legion third.

Oxford Poet ran to a new career peak Timeform figure of 104, three pounds higher than his previous best of 101, achieved in both his first and second up runs at Randwick this campaign.

The rising six-year-old gelding is relatively lightly raced with only 22 starts to his name and he has shown good ability in all four runs this campaign and can continue to win races throughout the winter.

Oxford Poet is the lowest rated winner of the Winter Stakes since Mr Unforgettable in 2010 (105), running five pounds below 2015 winner Rugged Cross and not sure he can make the step up to compete in spring features.

The Racing and Sports field strength value (RSFS) of 107.9 is slightly below par for a listed race which is to be expected this time of year and slightly below the 2015 renewal of 108.8.

Zin Zan Eddie at the odds of $21 also ran to a new peak rating of 103, three pounds higher than his most recent win in the Carrington Stakes at Randwick earlier in the year.

Ninth Legion was brave in third place with the 60kg, under a length away and he equalled his previous best running to 115 to continue his good recent form.

DOMINANT ESTEBAN

Earlier in the programme Esteban continued his strong recent form when taking out the Benchmark 73 Handicap (2000m) by an impressive seven lengths.

Having won his two previous outings by big margins at the provincials, Esteban ran to a new clear peak Timeform rating of 98p, six pounds higher than his seven length win at Beaumont two starts back.

Running impressive sectionals in the lead over the 2000m trip, Esteban is certainly one to keep an eye on going forward and the rising four-year-old is likely to find himself in stakes races very soon.

The RSFS of 91.1 is right on par for a Benchmark 73 race which also saw second placegetter Rock Mylady run to a new peak of 87, one pound higher than his win at Warwick Farm the start prior.

TWO-YEAR-OLDS

Morton’s Fork made a much deserved return to the winners circle when taking out the opening race on the programme, coming from well back in the field to claim victory on the quick back up.

The Godolphin runner made good ground in the straight to win by half a length over Harper’s Choice in second with stablemate Fanfaron third.

Yet to miss the placings from five outings and now having won twice, Morton’s Fork ran to a new career peak Timeform rating of 102, three pounds above his previous best achieved on debut at Randwick last year.

The blinkers on first time appear to have sharpened up the two-year-old Ad Valorem colt who could be one to follow going into his there-year-old season.

Second placegetter Harper’s Choice showed good improvement on his debut effort up in grade and ran to 93, five pounds above his second placing on debut at Beaumont.

Fanfaron also made improvement on his debut effort, returning a Timeform figure of 92, two pounds above his solid effort on debut at Warwick Farm when also third.

The RSFS of 96.8 is solid for a two-year-old race during this time of year and slightly above the 96.6 achieved in last weeks two-year-old race over 1200m at Randwick which saw Morton’s Fork run second to Thronum.