Lightly raced European-bred Aramco has relished a step up in distance to secure his first metropolitan success at Flemington.
Aramco led throughout to collect the TAB Australian Cup Race Day, 30 March on Saturday at only his sixth start for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable.
Ridden by Damian Lane , Aramco ($11) scored by 2-¼ lengths from Lauding ($12) with Enotis ($17) a further three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Aramco is a five-year-old son of Sea The Moon and Kent Jnr said the stable had held a high opinion of the gelding since his debut victory by 5-½ lengths at Geelong in December 2022.
But immaturity delayed Aramco’s progress, but Kent Jnr said the gelding was now beginning to fulfill his promise.
Saturday’s victory was Aramco’s third and the gelding was coming off a last start fourth over 1800m at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
“Last start they almost went too slow,” Kent Jnr said.
“He sat outside the lead in a sit-and-sprint, but you love seeing Damian Lane out in front like that.
“He’s six months behind the other horses, being a European-bred horse, and he’s still open to a lot of improvement.”
Due to his size, and immaturity, Aramco has spent the majority of his time down at Price and Kent Jnr’s Warrnambool base.
“That environment has been so important to his success,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s a big horse. He was no good as a colt, so we had to geld him and give him time and we’re very thankful to the owner for being patient.
“I think being down in that country beach environment, it’s been good as he was a bit soft boned in the early days, so we’ve given him the time.
“That was nice to see at his first try at 2000 metres today and if he could get a mile-and-a-half, it would open up some doors for him.”