Russian Revolution will head to the 2017 Moir Stakes after he returned to the races with an impressive win in the 2017 McEwen Stakes at The Valley this afternoon.

Russian Revolution (pictured winning The Galaxy) was too strong for his rivals in the McEwen Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Russian Revolution (pictured winning The Galaxy) was too strong for his rivals in the McEwen Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Heatherly took up the running in the early stages of the McEwen Stakes, but the well-backed favourite Houtzen failed to show her typical early speed and Russian Revolution was able to track the leader into the race.

Houtzen was under pressure a long way from home, but Russian Revolution was still cruising at the top of the straight and he responded quickly when asked the question by jockey Mark Zahra.

Russian Revolution finished over the top of Heatherly comfortably and he ran away from his rivals in the final stages to claim a very classy victory.

Co-trainer Paul Snowden was delighted to see Russian Revolution make a winning return to the races and he confirmed that the classy stallion would have his next race start in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on September 29 before he potentially returns to Sydney for the $10 million The Everest.

“We targeted this race on purpose and it is a bit of a barrier trial for the Moir in a couple of weeks time for him,” Snowden said.

“He obviously jumped well and put himself there, which was always the pre-race plan.

“The plan came off well and Mark rode him extremely well.

“He just wanted a little bit of time to furnish into a lovely colt, which he is now.

“His pre-race manners have really let him down in the past and we really have centered on that in the past couple of preps.

“He has that nervous energy that we like to use a little bit and that is why he has been a little bit aggressive in those past 1100 and 1200 metre races.

“This was a bit of a stand-up and have a look at him to see what he has got.

“He is going to improve a hell of a lot and the Moir is going to be a very important race for The Everest and a crucial lead-up to that.”

Heatherly produced a typically gallant performance and was able to hang on for second, while Houtzen never really travelled in the run but was still able to battle on for third.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.