The Doncaster Prelude rounded out the feature racing at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, as Bandersnatch booked his ticket to the Group 1 Doncaster Mile next Saturday.
After a luckless run in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes on March 11, jockey Brenton Avdulla took luck out of the equation this time decided to ping the lids and sit outside the favourite and natural leader, Cross Talk.
He was able to sustain the run strongly over the 1500m and certainly won't look out of place heading to the Group 1 feature next Saturday on his consistency this preparation.
Welwal and Diamil both loomed like big dangers turning for home but simply couldn't match motors with the winner with Bandersnatch, going on to score a terrific win, while Cross Talk stayed on into fourth position.
2023 Group 3 Doncaster Prelude Replay – Bandersnatch
Michael Hawkes spoke again on behalf of the training trio and thinks he could well be in with a chance in a Doncaster Mile with Bandersnatch.
“Great effort, the horse has been flying,” said Hawkes.
“We've just tried to place him in the best possible races we could. Last start he probably was the best thing beat of all time.
“Today on paper probably the barrier, a lot of people might have thought it was ordinary, but for us it worked out to be really good.
“Brutal was our last Doncaster winner and drew an ordinary barrier, it takes a good horse to do it.
“Bandersnatch, he's got a light weight, he's an impressive horse, he's always been thereabouts.
“I think it's an even sort of race to a degree and he just needs a decent run and if it's a bit wet, he likes that too. The horse is flying and honestly he's a good chance.”
Brenton Avdulla was briefer in his assessment and believes Bandersnatch is finding a peak performance with every start.
“He tries hard. I think he's overachieved,” said Avdulla
“I never looked at him as a Group 2 winner (note: today was a Group 3) but he's just kept improving and team Hawkes have done an amazing job with him.”
Online betting sites have Bandersnatch currently listed as a $18 chance in next weekend's Group 1 Doncaster Mile.