Goldenstatewarrior, left, pips Carlo Bianconi © Photo Healy Racing
Race six in Gowran Park was dominated by newcomers who filled the first three places with Goldenstatewarrior just chinning Carlo Bianconi in a driving finish to the median auction maiden for three-year-olds.
Dylan Browne McMonagle brought 11/4 favourite Carlo Bianconi down the stands' side in the straight and the duo made headway on the outer to lead inside the final couple of furlongs.
It is still a fair way home from there in Gowran Park and Carlo Bianconi edged left to the rail on the run to the final furlong.
He didn't help his pilot's cause as he wandered in the final furlong and Goldenstatewarrior had a target to aim at.
Ben Coen 's mount stayed on gun-barrel straight in the closing stages to nail Carlo Bianconi by a short head at 4/1. Cormac T kept at it for third at 22/1, three lengths behind this battle.
Ben Coen, “He’s a lovely horse, big and raw. He was a bit weak last year, but has strengthened up.
“He was pleasing us at home but we knew whatever he did today he’d improve loads. He’d handle nicer ground as well.
“He was plenty green and didn’t really know what was going on but, when I grabbed a hold of him halfway up the straight, he went on about his business. He didn’t do much when he got to the front, but showed a good attitude.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
