Safeguard has won the Group 3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse today ahead of an unlucky Fast ‘N’ Rocking in a photo finish.

Safeguard takes out the Vain Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia

The Exceed And Excel colt edged out Fast ‘N’ Rocking’s late charge by a nose, while Hill Spyrounded out the placings in third position.

Fast ‘N’ Rocking was disappointed for a run as he made his way up the straight and was forced to make a late switch to the inside in order to find space.

However, the runner-up’s run will not be quickly forgotten, with a big spring carnival on Fast ‘N’ Rocking’s agenda.

Safeguard’s win has ensured that his unbeaten race record has remained intact, having won all three of his starts and earning more than $200,000 in prize money.

The three-year-old won his first start in an $80,000 handicap at Flemington on début, before coming back to claim victory in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes at Royal Randwick on April 13 this year.

Safeguard’s trainer Peter Snowden was thrilled with the young colt’s performance and is looking forward to him reaching his full potential.

“He did a few little things wrong but he was good late,” Snowden said.

“He’s got a lot to learn. That’s his third start.

“He definitely shows good potential.”

Safeguard’s next run will be down the famous Flemington straight in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes on September 7.

“We’ll take one step at a time (but) the Danehill’s definitely his next start.

“He’s won down the straight before.”

Snowden was reserved when it came to making comparisons with his previous stable star Sepoy.

“He’s not a big horse,” he said of Sidestep.

“He’s the same size as Sepoy. Whether his motor’s the same we’ll find out.”

Sidestep was ridden by jockey Kerrin McEvoy in today’s Vain Stakes.

“(The horse) showed he’s a little juvenile in the mind still today,” McEvoy said.

“He’s going to take nice improvement off that.

“He’s not just all speed either. He’s exciting (and) he’s still learning the caper.”