The Jack Denham-trained Metal Bender is on track for the 3-year-old triple crown after he scored his second Group One win in two weeks when he produced a gritty display to take out the Rosehill Guineas yesterday.
The Danasinga gelding won the Randwick Guineas (1600m) last start and handled the
step up to 2000m at Rosehill, aided by a perfect ride from Danny Nikolic.
Nikolic settled him closer to the lead than last start and steered him along the inside in the run home to score narrowly but convincingly from Sousa and Rock Kingdom.
"It was a great win," Nikolic said. "He's just a winner this horse.
"He knows when to stick his head out.
"I think he'll run the Derby distance, he's just a no-frills horse."
The A$1.6 million AJC Australian Derby (2400m) is at Randwick on April 11.
Metal Bender has now raced seven times for five wins and a second for prizemoney in excess of A$740,000.
The A$2 million ($2.5 million) Doncaster beckons for Solo Flyer after he stamped his class all over the Group Two Ajax Stakes with an impressive win at Rosehill.
Trainer Anthony Cummings said he was confident Solo Flyer would attract at least a half-kilogram penalty for his victory in the 1500m race, lifting him to 51.5kg for the Doncaster (1600m) at Randwick on April 18.
The win continued Solo Flyer's amazing run this preparation in which he has landed three consecutive victories including the Group Three Newcastle Newmarket Handicap (1400m).
"It's always easier working with sharp tools," Cummings said.
But Cummings admitted he was concerned during the run as Solo Flyer was in second for most of the trip behind Penrickson.
"He showed Group One qualities in the closing stages to blow them away and Corey Brown deserves plenty of credit for a great ride too."
Solo Flyer, who started at $4.60, defeated Marching by 1 lengths with Chasm 1 lengths away third.
Brown said he was forced to be more forward on Solo Flyer because of his wide alley. "He was a bit fierce today and wanted to keep driving to the lead."
- AAP
