Group 1 winner Comin’ Through has stamped himself as a horse to follow through the Spring Carnival with a tough first-up win in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick this afternoon.
A brother of champion galloper Criterion, Comin’ Through realised his Group 1 potential by winning the Doomben Cup (2000m) in winter and did his chances of success no harm today after jumping well and taking a position off the early pace set by Arbeitsam, Takedown and Tom Melbourne.
Enjoying the early tempo leading into the straight, Michael Walker produced the horse with 300m to travel and was rewarded for the decision when Comin’ Through strode up to the leaders and was tough to the line to beat the enigmatic Tom Melbourne and a fast-finishing Dixie Blossoms.
Walker delivered a smart performance aboard Comin’ Through to be named the Tramway Stakes winner.
“He’s not an easy horse to ride, but he jumped good enough and I had to ride him to hold a spot,” he said after crossing the line.
“He actually got to the front too early. When he got to the front he laid in and wanted to pull up. All-in-all a good effort and Chris and his team have done a tremendous job.”
Chris Waller was on hand for Comin’ Through’s smart win in the Tramway Stakes and underlined a race like the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) in four weeks as an ideal target for the horse this time in.
“Comin’ Through is a winner. He doesn’t win by far, but he gets the job done,” Waller said.
“Michael Walker does a great job with the horse and it’s a great team to work with, with Sir Owen Glenn.
“I think a race like the Underwood. He’ll be handicapped out of an Epsom, so we thought Makybe Diva next would be suitable over a Flemington, just keep changing things with him and keeping him interested.”
Comin’ Through is a $12 shot in early 2018 Underwood Stakes betting.