A positive ride by Nathan Berry has helped Malavio power to victory in the Festival Stakes at Rosehill, stamping the four-year-old as a genuine contender for the Villiers Stakes.
Trainer Steve Englebrecht was adamant before Saturday’s 1500m Listed race that Berry had to make a decision early and not be stuck on a limb.
Malavio ($10) didn’t come out of the barriers cleanly so Berry pushed him forward into a handy position with topweight Monton ($13) heading the field.
Malavio strode up to him rounding the turn and although the two were vulnerable, they had too many reserves with Malavio winning by a half length and favourite Galah ($5) best of the chasing pack another neck behind.
“It was a great ride by Nathan and a great effort by the horse,” Englebrecht said.
“Everything else had its chance to get round him and couldn’t.
“I told Nathan to be positive and it worked out well.
“It’s on to the Villiers from here.”
This year’s Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) in two weeks has been switched from Randwick to Malavio’s home track of Warwick Farm.
Englebrecht’s best horse, Referral, won the 1998 Villiers Stakes after winning the Hawkesbury Cup.
Malavio finished fourth in the Hawkesbury race early last month and went into the Festival off a barrier trial.
“We gave him a week in the paddock after Hawkesbury and decided on the trial because there wasn’t really a suitable race for him,” Englebrecht said.
“He is still a very immature horse but he’s pretty versatile and will only get better.”
Berry, Malavio’s regular partner, said he was not concerned by the slow start.
“I could have slotted back but Steve wanted the horse in a forward position so that’s where I went,” he said.
“The most pleasing thing was the way he pulled away from Monton and really attacked the line.”
Monton, winner of last year’s Festival-Villiers double, was anchored by 59kg but trainer Ron Quinton was offering no excuses.
“He’s run great,” Quinton said.
“Sam (Clipperton) made a decision to go forward and it was a good decision.
“Except for the winner the others couldn’t run him down.”
The Villiers will feature many of the horses which contested the Festival and possibly one who missed out.
Fourth emergency Scream Machine ran instead in a Benchmark 85 over 2000 metres and came with a late run to beat Brightest.
“We wanted to go to the Festival but it wasn’t to be,” trainer Jason Coyle said.
“The Villiers is still a possibility.”
The Englebrecht family’s celebrations were set to continue over the weekend with Steve’s son Ryan getting married on Sunday.