Unbeaten Gai Waterhouse colt Proisir has rocketed into Spring Champion Stakes odds-on favouritism after a dominant win in the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The son of Choisir was far too good at just his third race start spacing a handy field by almost six lengths before Waterhouse confirmed the three-year-old would progress to the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick next month.
Punters responded instantly backing Proisir from $3.60 into $1.85 with TAB Sportsbet.
“He could win the Spring Champion,” a jubilant Waterhouse said.
“He just toyed with his rivals today, just toyed with them and he won like the short-price favourite he was.
“This is always a great race, a great indicator of good horses. He's so exciting, I got goosebumps after that.”
The potential Waterhouse star jumped from the inside barrier and went straight to the lead under jockey Nash Rawiller.
He was never troubled to the bend and produced his trademark front-running kick at the 200m to make a mess of his rivals.
John Thompson's Trophies finished second on the inside while Proverb worked home well to grab third.
“I think he's a very promising horse, he really took the next step today with flying colours,” Rawiller said.
“We've just let him keep happy at home, we haven't really tightened the screws yet.
“He made his own luck. He travelled comfortably there in front and every time one came up to his girth and made him race a bit he relaxed again straight after it.
“What was impressive was his last furlong, he just quickened really well.
“He's a bit cheeky but he's a real personality this horse, he's really going places too that's the main thing.”
Rawiller was confident about the horse's Spring Champion Stakes chances.
“I think it'll suit him perfectly.”
