Exciting colt Perspiration defeats favourite Gatsby’s in a thrilling edition of the Heritage Stakes

Ciaron Maher-trained Perspiration announced himself on the big stage with a thrilling victory in the Heritage Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Perspiration (outside) edges out Gatsby’s to win the Heritage Stakes Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher’s marvellous winning weekend continued when Perspiration broke through for a stakes success at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Promising Perspiration finished strongly under star apprentice Zac Lloyd to upset hot favourite Gatsby’s in the Listed $200,000 Heritage Stakes (1100m).

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Perspiration’s win came after a memorable Friday night at The Valley for Maher where he prepared the quinella in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes with Southport Tycoon and Growing Empire, while stable star Pride Of Jenni was at her frontrunning best in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes.

But while there is talk of a possible The Everest start for Southport Tycoon and Growing Empire, the future for Perspiration, although obviously very bright, is still a little uncertain.

Maher’s Sydney stable representative Johan Gerard-Dubord admitted Perspiration’s win does open up more options for the emerging three-year-old.

Perspiration (outside) edges out race favourite Gatsby’s to win the Heritage Stakes Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

“I think we will be mostly guided by the tracks,’’ Gerard-Dubord said. “He needs that ‘give’ (in the tracks) but as you can see he’s still fairly wintery.

“He can improve again and I think he’s a horse with a bit of a future.”

Perspiration ($11) scored a determined head win over Gatsby’s ($1.65 favourite) with early leader Ikasara ($3.80) just over two lengths away third.

The Heritage Stakes was robbed of some interest with the race morning scratching of Bodyguard due to the soft 6 track conditions.

Bodyguard’s withdrawal also ended any hopes of the colt making a late The Everest bid with trainer Peter Snowden now likely to aim the three-year-old at the Danehill Stakes at Flemington next Saturday and then set him for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Perspiration might also end up in a race like the Coolmore if he can continue to improve after scoring his second win (and two second placings) from just five starts.

Lloyd revealed his plan was to ride a conservative race early on Perspiration but conceded it wasn’t his intention to be “five lengths off them after 50m.”

Zac Lloyd was all smiles after Perspiration took out the Heritage Stakes Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

“But he recovered well, he travelled nicely and I felt confident around the bend,’’ Lloyd said.

“He quickened sharply and then just probably the last 50m he was getting a bit tired. So there’s still plenty of improvement to come which is good.”

Gerard-Dubord admitted he was slightly concerned when Perspiration was giving away such a big start to his rivals.

“Even though the plan was to go back, it wasn’t ideal,’’ he said.

“Obviously it was a small field and it was always going to be tactical but we know he’s a horse with a very good turn of foot.

“I have to say Zac rode him perfectly - that’s exactly what he needs, just to be patient, and he can save that turn of foot. He’s a lovely colt.’’

Originally published as Exciting colt Perspiration defeats favourite Gatsby’s in a thrilling edition of the Heritage Stakes