Iconoclasm is poised for another chance at Group One level after beating Widgee Turf in the $150,000 VOBIS Gold Star at The Valley for the second-straight year.
Iconoclasm ran without blinkers in Friday night’s 1500m-race and the change brought the desired result when he fought hard to score by a short head.
“He’s just been a bit keen in his work and in his last few races he tended to over-race,” trainer Danny O’Brien’s assistant Ben Gleeson said.
“He hasn’t had the blinkers off since his first start but it’s worked today.”
The win was Iconoclasm’s ninth from 22 starts, and Gleeson confirmed plans to head to Saturday week’s Group One Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Iconoclasm finished midfield in the Cantala last year when trained by Darren Weir and was later unplaced in two Group One races in Perth.
Since joining O’Brien earlier this year, Iconclasm has had two attempts at the elite level, finishing unplaced in The Goodwood in Adelaide in May and in last month’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield..
Gleeson says there were factors against Iconoclasm including wide barriers and he believes the horse is capable of making his mark at Flemington.
“We think the horse is in the best shape he’s ever been,” he said.