There was no joy for Peter Snowden at Saturday’s Blue Diamond Stakes meeting at Caulfield but stable veteran Skytrain brought cheers at Warwick Farm.
The seven-year-old added the Group Three Southern Cross (1200m) to his record after handling the heavy track with ease, beating dual Group One winner Streama in the process.
Skytrain ($3.80) edged Streama ($3.90) for favouritism but had a comfortable 1-3/4 lengths on the mare at the finishing post.
The Darley team had three runners in the Blue Diamond including the well-supported Guelph but Sheikh Mohammed’s might was not enough to stop the fairytale win by Miracles Of Life.
Skytrain has never reached Group One heights but has been a consistent performer for the team.
“He’s been a good winner for the stable,” Sydney foreman Brad Widdup said.
“He likes the wet which helped today.
“We couldn’t win the Blue Diamond but there is such a good story to the winner it was great to see.”
Skytrain has been in good form this preparation with a win in the Listed Canterbury Classic and a second to Happy Galaxy in the Expressway Stakes before Saturday’s victory.
Streama was having her first start since the spring and her trainer Guy Walter and jockey Hugh Bowman were pleased with her effort.
“It was good, especially in the wet,” Walter said.
“She will go to the Wiggle in two weeks now.”
The meeting looked under threat when the constant rain turned torrential during the running of the Group Two Apollo Stakes but it lightened off for the last two races.
The track proved no problem for Havana Rey who won the Nags Head Hotel (1600m) by 2-1/4 lengths from Shamardani.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding disgraced himself when he ran last on Australia Day, beaten 19 lengths as the odds-on favourite.
A barrier trial win followed by two more on the track had him back in the good books with punters who sent him out at $2.60.
“He’s been a great horse for the stable and he’s won seven races and seven BOBS bonuses,” Baker said.
