The three-year-old Ihtsahymn proved too good for a fast-finishing Luckygray to win the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic.
The Fred Kersley-trained three-year-old Ihtsahymn followed his recent WA Guineas (Gr 2, 1600m) success to take out this Group One weight-for-age contest.
He settled in an ideal position in fourth place, one out and one back, following an average tempo (first 1200m 1:14.40). He moved up nicely, three wide, nearing the home turn, took a narrow lead at the 300m and kept fighting on well to record a good neck win.
The favourite Luckygray ($3) was ninth, one off the rails with cover before improving on passing the 600m. He was giving the leader about six lengths and was wide-out rounding the home turn. He took a little while to wind-up but then came with a strong late run for second.
Rohan led early then had a good trip, third on the rails. He challenged at the 200m and then kept battling on well for a sound third.
Playing God was seventh early, made a quick early run, due to the moderate early pace, to take the lead at the 1000m point. He held the lead until half-way down the straight and did well to fight on for a good fourth, beaten one length.
Mr Moet ($5.50) was second last in the 11-horse field most of the way to the 600m mark. He was under riding from the turn and took quite a while to pick-up in the sprint home. He then kept making ground for a solid fifth, beaten two lengths, being disadvantaged by the slow early pace.
