A $250,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Newgate Farm, solidly supported Winchester opened his winning account when making all the running at
Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday to notch up the 11th Australian juvenile winner of the season for Deep Field.

Ridden by Patrick Moloney for Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Winchester was tenacious in holding on to win the 1000m dash by a neck.

Appearing for the first time since his career debut fifth in the Listed Talindert Stakes at Flemington in February, Winchester looks to have come back in great order and Patrick Maloney said the stable is excited by the strapping gelding.

“He’s a lovely animal, and John filled me with confidence,” Moloney said.

“John left me with an open book and to ride the horse wherever he travels. He has shown speed in his trials; ride him where he is comfortable, help him down the hill and hold him together for as long as you can.

“I think he still had a few gears left. He had his ears pricked down the running, a positive sign.”

Bred by S F Bloodstock, Henry Field Bloodstock, and Hollymount Stud, Winchester is the fifth winner from six to race for the smart racemare Shared Reflections, a Gooree Stud homebred that defeated Streama and Pane In The Glass to win the Group III ATC Sweet Embrace Stakes.

Shared Reflections has a weanling colt by Stay Inside and was covered by In The Congo last spring.