Sesar has given his new owners an immediate return on their investment at Randwick with his win in the Winter Dash.
Aquis Farm, which has bought a controlling share in the colt and will eventually stand him at stud, transferred him from Brisbane trainer Steve O’Dea to Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes at Rosehill.
He was previously raced by Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds with his former owners still enjoying the ride by leasing shares while Sesar is still racing.
The winner of the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick in the spring, Sesar was sent out the $3.80 favourite in Saturday’s 1200m-race.
Fan favourite, veteran Melbourne sprinter Jungle Edge ($4.80), took up his customary position in front on his preferred heavy track.
Despite apprentice Lucinda Doodt’s three-kilogram claim, Jungle Edge still had to carry 59.5kg and it told in the end.
Christian Reith steered Sesar through a gap late to hold off veteran Boss Lane ($19) by 1-3/4 lengths with the same margin to the gallant Jungle Edge.
“It was a bit of a funny run race,” Reith said.
“He was on the bit, off the bit. He was struggling to concentrate on what he was doing.
“Around the corner he was scrambling around and rolling around. I was a bit worried but once I balanced him up and he went through his gears, he let down well.
“Once he accelerated through the gap between Jungle Edge and Cradle Mountain, he just went to a gear they didn’t have.”
The jockey said Sesar still had some maturing to do, especially mentally, but had more in store.
“He’s only going to improve the more time he spends in the Hawkes stable,” he said.
“He’s got a lot of upside still. He’s so green and just a big baby.
“The more racing he has, the more genuine he’ll get and the more tractable he’ll get.”
James Innes Jr said Boss Lane tried his hardest but was no match for the winner’s finishing sprint while Doodt said Jungle Edge kept trying until the end.
“I thought he travelled well and went along at a nice clip,” she said.
“The last little bit he just hit his peak. He was still good to the line even when the other horses got him.”
