Herman Hesse flies home to capture 2024 RM Ansett Classic at Mornington

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher capped a busy AFL Grand Final weekend of racing with four winners at Mornington on Sunday including Herman Hesse in the Listed RM Ansett Stakes.

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher capped a busy AFL Grand Final weekend of racing with four winners at Mornington on Sunday including Herman Hesse in the Listed RM Ansett Stakes.

Herman Hesse, ridden by Declan Bates, outstayed Hit The Road Jack over the concluding stages in the 2400m feature with Commando Drift finishing hard to run third.

Favourite Golden Crusader crossed from a wide draw to lead the race but could not maintain the rage, under pressure before the home bend and dropped back through the field.

• BET LIKE A PRO: Get expert tips from Racenet’s team of professional punters in our new Pro Tips section – with fully transparent return on investment stats. Subscribe now!

Maher trained a double last Friday night at The Valley, including Southport Tycoon in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and Pride Of Jenni in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes.

While he went without a winner in Melbourne on Saturday, the stable won the Listed Heritage Stakes in Sydney with Perspiration.

Bates, who led all the way aboard Pride Of Jenni last Friday night, rated Herman Hesse perfectly behind the speed and took over approaching the home turn.

Herman Hesse takes out the R.M. Ansett Classic 🙌@[e-mail]/M5CFhdKYwx

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 29, 2024

• Warmonger to boost Caulfield Cup claims in Turnbull Stakes

“He was very strong, actually even after the line I couldn’t pull him up,” Bates said of Herman Hesse.

“We landed in a good enough spot, he began OK, we took a bit of time to organise ourselves, just with the outside horses coming around.

“I didn’t want to be snagging him so I had to go with them and let it unfold a bit, he was nice and relaxed … by the 800m he started to build and I knew I was going really well.

“As the front two started to tire I didn’t want to really hang around, I wanted to let him stride, he’s ready for this trip now, and wanted to go with him.

“He maintained that all the way to the line and even through the line, so it was a good strong win.”

• Big Bets Review: Punter nabs $30,000 collect

Hit The Road Jack, trained by Symon Wilde, mounted a challenge late but could not close a length margin to the line in a grinding finish.

“On the bend I could feel something coming … when we straightened up and hit that rising ground my fella really relished it and picked up.”

Herman Hesse will now be aimed at the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 12.

Saracen Knight completed the Ansett-Herbert Power double in 2022.

Originally published as Herman Hesse flies home to capture 2024 RM Ansett Classic at Mornington