Tavistock five-year-old Travest had little trouble justifying his favouritism when he returned to winning ways at Warwick Farm with a comfortable victory over 1600 metres.
Trained on the course by Greg Hickman, the Cambridge Stud graduate was successful for the fourth time in his 15-start career with all of his wins on his home turf.
Travest also reacted well to the addition of blinkers and settled kindly toward the back of the field and one off the fence before apprentice Tyler Schiller was on the move 600 metres from home.
They were in contention four wide on straightening and finished relentlessly to sail home by 1.25l.
“It’s the first time I’ve ridden him and Greg was adamant about getting some cover, which we did, and he let down strongly. There was a genuine tempo and that helped as well,” Schiller said.
Travest is a brother to Chris Waller’s multiple winner Niffler and half-brother to Sophisticardo, twice successful and fourth in last season’s Karaka Million 2YO, with their dam Glamourous Girl.
The Thorn Park mare won two races, including the G3 Desert Gold Stakes and is currently in foal to Embellish. She has a yearling filly by Eminent that will be offered by Kiltannon Stables as lot 836 at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sale in March.