Tyler Schiller has guided the Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained Remarque to victory in Saturday's Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick.
Having been $9 into a $4.20 second elect with online bookmakers, Remarque landed good bets in his narrow victory.
Despite being forced to travel three wide with no cover up on speed, Schiller managed to get ever last bit of Remarque to hold off multiple Group 1 winner In Secret ($4.20) and Bella Nipotina ($6).
Veteran Eduardo ($7.50) stuck on for fourth after leading the field up, but arguably the big talking point was Nature Strip, who faded badly to be well beaten after being forced to travel four wide with no cover.
It was all the honours the winner though, as Remarque looks set for a fruitful spring campaign.
2023 Group 3 Concorde Stakes Replay – Remarque
It was the Hawkes' first win in the Concorde Stakes and Michael Hawkes was clearly happy with Remarque's performance against his highly-credentialed rivals.
“Plans are there to be made and hatched and his trials have been great. We're just extremely happy that the horse has come back bigger, stronger, better,” Michael Hawkes said.
“He's just an elite horse.
“Obviously first-up today and he's taking on the likes of Nature Strip and Eduardo, but things happen. You put him in the right races, you get them going in the right direction and it's onwards and upwards.
“He's not there in the coat yet either, he's just going to improve out of sight. “
Following his win in the Concorde, Remarque is now a $15 chance with online betting sites in The Everest (1200m) futures markets.