Trainer Nick Ryan observed that circumstances once again fell into place at Caulfield, enabling Winnasedge to secure its most significant career triumph.
Following a victory over 1100 metres at Caulfield on June 27, Winnasedge returned to the same track on Saturday to clinch the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m).
Supported as the $4.40 favourite with Luke Currie in the saddle, Winnasedge finished a long neck ahead of Bellatrix Star ($11), with Sir Now ($13) a further short-head back in third.
“Last start he drew in and the pattern was in his favour and today he drew wide and the pattern is in his favour again,” Ryan stated.
“The stars aligned a little bit but he’s a good horse and got the job done, but he’s always been a good little horse.
“He was placed in a Red Anchor Stakes at three, he ran well in a Tobin Bronze Stakes over in Adelaide.
“He’s always been up to this level, so to do it at weight-for-age, was great and it’s great to team up with my great mate Luke Currie, back from America after his holiday and he executed it perfectly the way the track has been playing.”
Currie had previously partnered Winnasedge when it was placed in the Red Anchor Stakes in October 2024 and during its performance in the Tobin Bronze Stakes at Morphettville in April of the previous year.
Saturday marked the first occasion Currie had ridden Winnasedge since its Adelaide run, with Ryan explaining that timing was a factor, given Ben Allen’s success on the sprinter in the preceding race.
“Ben Allen is on a plane to Europe and Luke’s back from America,” Ryan confirmed.
“Luke and I go way back, we’re good mates and it’s good to team up with him in Stakes company today.”
Ryan indicated that Winnasedge is slated to compete at Caulfield again for another Stakes race, the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) on July 25.
“He’ll have a fitness edge,” Ryan commented.
“He was fourth up today. He’s fit, 1200 (metres) will be no issues, so why not.”
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