Quirky stayer Herman Hesse takes out Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield

Herman Hesse won the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield but his stablemate is the one to follow for the Melbourne Cup.

Herman Hesse surges to victory in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

A perfect ride from Declan Bates guided Herman Hesse to victory in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield.

Bates tacked on to the back of the leader Okita Soushi, also trained by Ciaron Maher, and only needed an out in the straight to get the job done.

“Look, he’s a lovely horse. He has his quirks, but he’s hitting some good form now,” Bates said.

“These stayers of Ciaron’s, when they’re up and about, they really hold their form well.

“I was really confident from the good gate he’d be right in the mix here. And as it happened, he won really well.”

While Herman Hesse is not nominated for either the Caulfield Cup or Melbourne Cup, runner-up and stablemate Okita Soushi is within eye shot of the first Tuesday in November.

Okita Soushi is 53rd in the order of entry and not without a chance of scraping into the top 24 with attrition.

Herman Hesse with back-to-back wins and claims the Herbert Power!@decbates@[e-mail]/08UCB9bFvP

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 12, 2024

“He’s a dour, dour stayer. Two miles is his go,” Maher said.

“I said to his owner he will run a better race today. I just changed the gear around, took a noseband off, put a Norton bit on, nice positive ride by Billy.

“If we can sneak him in, he’ll run a race in the (Melbourne) Cup.”

Favourite Gear Up travelled close to the speed and faded out of contention.

Post Impressionist made an early move from last in the run to challenge the leaders at the 600m but could not sustain the effort.

Melbourne Cup qualified South Australian stayer The Map finished fifth in a nice second-up hitout.

MILE JUST ENOUGH FOR BELLE

Another few metres might have been too much for on-pacer Grinzinger Belle in the Group 3 Catanach’s 150 Years Vase (1600m).’

Grinzinger Belle had been placed three times over the trip, concerning connections that 1600m was a bridge too far for the Danny O’Brien-trained mare.

However, jockey Damian Lane perfectly-rated Grinzinger Belle ($5.50) in front with the four-year-old having a neck to spare over the fast-finishing Private Legacy ($31).

“She was out on her feet late, but I’d done a bit of work through that middle stage so she was entitled to be,” Lane said.

O’Brien said the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington could be Grinzinger Belle’s next assignment.

Grinzinger Belle bounces back to win! 🥇

Tough to make ground at Caulfield today.@[e-mail]/MRCZp9uFhF

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 12, 2024

Originally published as Quirky stayer Herman Hesse takes out Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield