Trish Dunell
Unbeaten 3YO Chatelard provided his sire Rip Van Winkle with the quinella when he produced a quality performance in Sydney on Wednesday to claim victory in the ATC TAB Handicap over 1900m.
Trained by Chris Waller, the $90,000 Star Thoroughbreds Karaka purchase had come from last position in his first start to win over 1400m at Kembla Grange a little more than a fortnight earlier and again finished determinedly, under the guidance of champion jockey Hugh Bowman, to score a soft victory here.
The exciting Rip Van Winkle gelding has taken the transition to City class in his stride and while understandably demonstrating inexperience in his latest race, on raw ability alone, he looks to have the makings of a very smart racehorse.
Chatelard defeated another 3YO Rip Van Winkle gelding Bastia, favourite for the race, who had previously won on debut.