The Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Kembla on Saturday produced an exciting result with Newgate co-owned Snitzel colt In the Congo scoring his first Black Type victory.

The race was won from the front by the progressive Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Snitzel colt, who led all the way for Tim Clark to score a neck win over fast finishers Paulele and Captivant (Capitalist) with Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) finishing a close up fifth.

“We took bad luck out of the equation and used the tactical speed that he’s got to control things and I thought he did a great job to fight them all off and dig deep late,” said Adrian Bott.

“I’ll talk to Henry Field and work out where to go next, although we’ll be keeping to sprint trips as he’s just an out and out speed horse.

“We might stay here for the Roman Consul (G2) with the Coolmore (G1 at Flemington) being the ultimate aim.”

A $350,000 Inglis Easter purchase for China Horse Club / Newgate Bloodstock from the Newhaven Park draft, In the Congo has two wins and two seconds from four starts with prizemoney just shy of $170,000.

Bred by Nordic Racing and Breeding, In the Congo is the second foal and second winner from Via Africa (SAfr), a triple Group I winner and the Champion Sprinter in South Africa for 2013/2014.

Capitalists’s Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Captivant made a pleasing return in the race, hitting the line hard for third with the promise of a great spring campaign ahead for him.

In Melbourne, Flying Artie’s Blue Diamond winner Artorius returned from his winter spell in the Group III MRC McNeil Stakes (1100m) and charged home from back in the field to finish a fast closing second to Bruckner beaten a short neck.

He too looks to have returned in great order and has all options on the table ahead of him this spring.