Peacock wins 2016 Gothic Stakes Listed $120,000 at Caulfield (VIC) 3yoColts & Geldings, 1400m.
Godolphin-raced colt Peacock put up a nice effort here. He enjoyed a good trip in fifth place on the rails from barrier three, behind a steady pace (first 800m 50.20). He got through behind the leader at the home turn, continued along the inner to hit the front at the 200m and then fought back to score in a photo.
Violate settled back in eighth place, improved wide with cover from the 600m, fanned widest of all at the home turn and came with a strong late run for second, failing narrowly in a photo.
The favourite Acatour was wide early on, went forward to race outside the leader (Valliano), looked a threat nearing the 200m and then fought on for a close-up third.
Valliano was quickly away, went to the front, then slowed the tempo, before battling on nicely for fourth, beaten less than a length.
The winner’s stablemate Morton's Fork settled back in tenth place, between runners, and failed to get clear running until the closing stages and then ran on for (1.3 lengths) fifth, looking most unlucky as too did Inside Agent who was near the rear on the rails and also failed to get fully clear in the straight before finishing (1.7 lengths) sixth.
