New kid on the block Prince Fawaz lived up to his pre-race hype with a powerful finishing burst to win the Group 1 $600,000 Magic Millions J.J. Atkins Plate (1600m) at Eagle Farm today.
Prince Fawaz, above with the yellow cap, holds off Kubrick to win the J.J. Atkins Plate at Eagle farm. Photo by Steve Hart.
Prince Fawaz laid the foundation for today’s Group 1 win against the two year olds with a last start come from behind win in a 1400m 2yo Handicap at Randwick two weeks ago and the punters took the hint and sent the colt out as the $4 second favourite.
Big race rider Kerrin McEvoy settled Prince Fawaz in the middle of the pack from barrier four in the fifteen horse field and brought the Anthony Cummings trained colt with a well timed run to claim the major prize.
Runner up Kubrick ($18) tried to make a race of it over the concluding stages but Prince Fawaz proved too strong on the line with a long head to spare.
Third placegetter Reloaded ($6.50) made up plenty of ground in the straight under the hard riding of James McDonald.
McEvoy confirmed that Prince Fawaz has plenty of class and has tagged him as a nice Spring three year old and is tipping that Anthony Cummings will set him for the Victoria Derby.
“We just him with a bit of class there,” McEvoy said.
“Anthony and the owners have a nice horse for the spring and I am presuming that he will stay further than a mile as well and your never know he could get out into a Derby trip.”
“Knowing Anthony he will have a crack anyway.”
McEvoy was having his first ride on Prince Fawaz today in the J.J. Atkins Plate but the pair were quick to combine and the Fastnet Rock colt responded to McEvoy’s every command.
“It is the first time I have sat on him and obviously he has taken all before him this prep,” McEvoy said.
“He showed a nice turn of foot at the finish there and he has a lot of class that is for sure.”
“He travelled nicely and I just niggled forward into a mid-field spot but he travelled really well.”
“I was nearly going to burrow out at the 700m but decided not to and just rode a bit more patient.”
“He was very strong and got the quite cosily in the end and sort of cruised the last hundred yards.”
The Chris Waller trained Accession was sent out as the $3.50 favourite and after travelling on the pace, faded in the straight to finish sixth, three and quarter lengths from the winner.
