Valiant Spirit wins 2018 Autumn Classic Group 2 $200,000 at Caulfield (VIC), 1800m.

Regan Bayliss employed bold tactics aboard Valiant Spirit to catch the opposition napping in a game front-running display here for his third win (maiden stakes) in nine starts. From wide out Valiant Spirit eventually reached the rail and led to the 800m with a two length advantage.

Down the side Bayliss pressed that advantage and edged further in front prior to the last corner and once into the straight broke clear, leading by five lengths at the 200m then was kept going and had enough gas left to last by a couple of lengths at the post.

Astoria was fourth last past the 600m, six wide and still well back into the straight then ran on strongly for second but was never going to catch the winner.

Mr So And So tracked Astoria into the straight and also finished well for third from Belfast who made ground fairly from midfield to finish fourth.