Promising stayer Akrotiri added to his burgeoning record in dominant fashion at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The Cindy Alderson-trained four-year-old is a son of Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino, who will be well represented in both the Book 1 and 2 sessions at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Akrotiri handled a rise in class and a step up in distance with aplomb when he made all the running to comfortably hold his Benchmark 70 rivals at bay at the end of 2040 metres.
Apprentice jockey Celine Gaudray had the gelding travelling boldly at the head of affairs and, after surging clear at the top of the straight, held a strong gallop for the third win of his six-start career.
“He’s a young stayer with the blinkers off for the first time and Celine did a great job with him,” Alderson said.
“The style of the race suited him and he was free-running and it was a beautifully judged ride.”
Akrotiri was stepping up to a middle distance for the first time and Alderson believes he can be effective over more ground.
“I’ve got no doubt he can get to 2400 metres, who knows maybe further. He’s a relaxed horse who strides along nicely,” she said.
Gaudray rated Akrotiri to perfection and said a pre-race chat with Alderson had also been significant.
“She gave me a lot of confidence and thought he would run really well.
“He’s a big and strong and got into a nice rhythm and he was too good for them, he’ll go a lot further.”
A half-sister to the Listed Wanganui Cup winner La Flora Belle, Akrotiri was bred by Ngaire Leicester and is a daughter of the Stravinsky mare Tsarina Belle.
She was a multiple stakes placegetter, including a third in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas with a pedigree page that features the 14-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle.