After going down as a well-backed favourite last start, Spacewalk (+400) has returned to the winner's circle with a strong win in the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes down the Flemington straight, with Jamie Kah giving him a perfectly timed ride.
The James Cummings-trained sprinter settled a lot closer to the speed, albeit five lengths off the tearaway leader Najeem Suhail (+900) who ran the race at a breakneck tempo.
When the leader began to slow and take smaller steps, Kah went for her mount and as he lengthened stride, he picked up the leader very quickly and went past him.
However, it wasn't all easy for the winner, as Crosshaven (+3000) flashed through the pack and nearly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, but Spacewalk had enough of a margin on the runner-up to hold on and claim victory.
2023 Rising Fast Stakes Replay – Spacewalk | T: James Cummings | J: Jamie Kah
James Cummings was on course for the big raceday, and he spoke post-race about the win.
“It worked out quite well. Jamie Kah was convinced that she had the right horse to follow and could save Spacewalk for his final dash and that he'd be pretty hard to hold out,” Cummings said.
“It unfolded in unusual fashion with a long leader, but it did give Spacewalk something to knuckle down and chase.
“He's out of a Dubawi mare, he looks like a Dubawi. Those horses just try so hard.
“Jamie just got the timing spot on, the horse has really been flying this preparation, he was excellent first up, he got his head in front in the Caulfield Sprint so I felt a bit for Jamie.
“She was just forced to make her run a little earlier than she would've liked last time but she was very confident with me this afternoon that if she could get her timing that the horse would be hard to hold out.”
Jamie Kah brought up her first winner on Derby Day, and she spoke post-race.
“I'd love it if that horse (Najem Suhail) was in everyone of his races. He just needs a bum to follow and horses to chase down,” Kah said.
“The other day we got there too soon.
“He's got a short sprint on him and he needs a horse in front for a long time and that was perfect today.
“I knew Najem Suhail couldn't maintain that so I was just being patient and waiting.
“We love riding winners and especially on Derby Day. It is fantastic.”