Patriarch all the way

ANOTHER VIGOROUS has trained really well for this afternoon's Pick-3 Super Challenge, but even at 1400 metres, still needs a horse to take PATRIARCH out of his comfort zone on the lead.

Clearly the best two-year-olds seen so far this season, PATRIARCH and ANOTHER VIGOROUS clash for a second time in six weeks with strong arguments in favour of either horse after their thrilling battle in October's Cash Pot Only One For Me trophy race at 1200 metres.

When they met in the Cash Pot Trophy, PATRIARCH was drawn at postposition one but was still able to separate himself from the 10-horse field within a furlong, racing to the home turn by himself.

When ANOTHER VIGOROUS pounced, PATRIARCH was still good enough to not only stay on, but to win by almost a length after being all but joined a half-furlong out.

Though he hasn't raced in six weeks, ANOTHER VIGOROUS sparkled at exercise on Sunday, 1:06.0 for five and a half, out the mile chute, the last five in 59.0, fitted with a tongue tie.

NELSON IN SADDLE

That workout convinced trainer Rowan Mathie to use the equipment for the Pick-3 Super Challenge rematch, plus, he has replaced apprentice Dane Dawkins with three-time champion Dane Nelson.

However, PATRIARCH's pace is terrifying and almost effortless. In the Cash Pot, Anthony Nunes' colt left the gate like a gunshot, opened a commanding lead, coasted to the turn, with Dick Cardenas literally awaiting ANOTHER VIGOROUS, who pulled alongside a furlong and half out, but got scorched when his rival turned on the afterburners and won by almost a length.

Though ANOTHER VIGOROUS has a more relaxed running style to suit seven furlongs, without a horse to challenge PATRIARCH on the lead, he could again spend the afternoon chasing his speedier rival, not to mention if it rains again, as it did on Cash Pot Day and has been doing almost every day since.

PATRIARCH was back at the races two weeks ago, toying with Wayne DaCosta's pair of BRANDY and GREEK GODDESS at 1300 metres. Cardenas hardly broke a sweat and had enough time to ease the Casual Trick-Electrifying colt close home in a four and a half length win clocked in 1:19.1.

He showed no sign of stopping in the stretch run and is reminiscent of TALENTED TONY K, the 2014 Guineas and Lotto Classic winner, horses who refuse to be led and can run the best of their peers into the ground.