White Marlin has extended his undefeated start to his career with a six win from as many starts in the Group 3 Easter Cup.
Having produced a jaw-dropping performance on Melbourne Cup Day last year, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained stayer returned from a spell in dynamic fashion.
Jordan Childs was forced to take up the running on the $2.10 pre-post favourite when leaving the home straight for the first time and despite copping consistent pressure, the big grey managed to give his rivals a galloping lesson, which including the in-form Right You Are and Group 2 winner Lunar Flare.
Saturday's win is seen as his first step towards a Melbourne Cup, with the stable expected to target the Mornington Cup and Andrew Ramsden Stakes in a bid to gain golden tickets into the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup respectively.
2023 Group 3 Easter Cup Replay – White Marlin
Gai Watehouse & Adrian Bott's stable rep Rebecca Shanks was quick to reveal the plan for the talented stayer post-race.
“I think ideally he goes to a Mornington Cup next, hopefully give these guys another Cup, the owners, so hopefully that'll be where we go and the Ramsden third up,” said Shanks.
“We really have a lot of faith in this horse and we know how good he is and we were just glad that he was able to go 2100 first up.
“He was so tough, Jordan didn't get the ideal run to get to where he needed to be, but he was just too good for them today and showed his class.”
Jordan Childs completed a Group 3 race-to-race double having piloted Cardinal Gem to victory in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap the start prior.
“He's always been a mature type, but he's probably strengthened up a little more.”
Childs managed to book Waterhouse & Bott a Melbourne Cup ticket earlier in the autumn when piloting Goldman to victory in the Listed Roy Higgins.
“They're both very nice horses, obviously Goldman was very tough the other day but I do really like White Marlin. He feels like he might just be a little bit above Goldman at the moment.
“They're both niece types and they're both heading for a Melbourne Cup and hopefully I get to sit on one of them.”
Following the win, White Marlin is now an outright $8 favourite for the Melbourne Cup with online bookmakers.