Territory Express (+320) has weaved a passage under Zac Lloyd to claim the Provincial-Midway Championship Final (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, securing the major portion of the $1 million prize.
The Paul Niceforo-trained gelding put the writing on the wall two starts back in the Kembla Grange qualifier on February 28, bursting clear to score in stunning fashion before suffering a narrow runner-up defeat at the hands of Democracy Manifest in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
It proved to be the correct form-line to follow heading into Saturday, with the four-year-old son of Territories producing a blistering turn-of-foot towards the inside running rail in the final 400m.
The race was set up for the back markers to build the revs late, as the Kris Less-trained Convincebility (+12500) went forward along with Willaidow (+4000) and Shadows Of Love (+1100) who eventually made a line of three.
Rank outsider Little Beginning (+20000) caused some interference in the concluding stages when rolling out in the home straight, allowing Territory Express and Strait Acer ($7.00) to truck through the inside, leaving James McDonald aboard Willinga Freefall ($6.50) swinging widest of the main chances with 200m to travel.
Once clear though, there was only one horse you wanted to be on as Territory Express stamped his authority, going on to score by a length on the wire.
Paul Niceforo was on course to discuss the victory and was delighted with the performance of his stable flagbearer.
“We picked him out of the paddock when he was a baby and he's always shown me ability when he was going around the paddock,” said Niceforo.
“He came to the stable and he is such a nice horse. He just tries.
“I've been so confident right from weeks ago and everything has gone well, the whole preparation has been perfect so I can't complain.
He's such a nice horse. Look out Cox Plate, here we come.”
Zac Lloyd was elated to the win and spoke to wanting to repay the faith to the Niceforo stable for continuing his association with Territory Express.
“I just wanted to get that job done for Paul and Maryanne,” said Lloyd.
“They're such great people. That felt like group one. Even though they haven't had a group one, if felt like that for them.
“For me, obviously on a big day like today, it wasn't where they wanted it to be ridden but I had no option.
“I've known this horse since he was a two-year-old and to get the job done for them, I really think highly of this horse and I am thankful to get the ride on a big day.
“Maryanne gave me one instruction and that was to get to the outside. He is a hard horse to get to the outside. He jumps so slowly and there are horses all around him.
“I had no option but to go through them but he's got such a good turn-of-foot, he makes runs and thankfully we got the breaks today.”