Consistent gelding Decision Time held-off a fast finishing Sessions to record his second victory in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick today.
Decision Time became the first horse to win the Concorde Stakes on multiple occasions with his impressive victory at Royal Randwick today. Photo by: Steve Hart
Decision Time took advantage of the fast early speed set by Gary Portelli-trained I’m All The Talk to finish strong late and score his third victory at Group level after previously winning the 2010 Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1400m) and the 2011 edition of the Concorde Stakes.
Sessions was heavily backed in the lead-up to the race and had every chance to catch the winner but fell just short while Queensland sprinter Delago Bolt finished third.
Decision Time maintained his stellar first-up record and stable representative Mark Connors (son of trainer Clarry Connors) was delighted that the Foreplay gelding had returned to his best form after he finished his winter campaign with an uncharacteristically poor effort in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
“He always puts in and it was a fantastic effort today,” Connors said after the race.
“He is a really mature horse and it was massive effort to run down the leader like he did.”
Blake Shinn was riding Decision Time for the first time since he finished fourth behind Toorak Toff in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) and was quick to pay credit to the competitiveness of the six-year-old.
“He really responded to the challenge of Sessions and he is just a real winner,” Shinn said.
“He is lethal first-up and we landed in the right spot and travelled like the winner.
“Full credit to the horse and to Clarry – he had him really forward for today’s outing and it was good to get the result on him.”
Veteran gelding Hay List was appearing at the races for the first time since he suffered an injury in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) in April and raced fairly after slightly missing the start to finish sixth – just over two lengths behind the winner.
Mrs Onassis tailed off in the final stages of the race and is expected to be retired after her second straight disappointing performance.
