Bigdaddykool wins at a canter

IT was easier than taking candy from a baby.

BIGDADDYKOOL was handed a gift and duly accepted yesterday's Nigel B Nunes Memorial, running past St Leger winner MARQUESAS a furlong and a half out, winning by six and a half lengths, completing separate two-timers for jockey Linton Steadman and trainer Anthony Nunes.

Mercilessly set among open allowance runners, due to conditions which allow horses a drop in class, nine months after their last win in graded stakes, it was always a matter of how far BIGDADDYKOOL would have won, though he surprisingly came home at a king's ransom, getting even-money in the nine-horse field.

Normally having to push when racing against his peers in graded stakes, Steadman was instead a passenger down the backstretch as BIGDADDYKOOL loped along in fourth-fifth before easing into third three furlongs out, going in chase of long-time leader LIGHTNING LILY and MARQUESAS.

MARQUESAS ran his usual brave race, briefly grabbing the lead from LIGHTNING LILY, before surrendering to BIGDADDYKOOL, who lengthened his long legs to win with Steadman standing tall in the saddle.

A warm-up for the November 10 Superstakes at 10 furlongs, which he needs to win to gain an automatic spot in December's Diamond Mile, BIGDADDYKOOL clocked 1:53.0 for nine furlongs and 25 yards, on a fast track, still an ominous message to Saturday's Gold Cup winner, WILL IN CHARGE.

BIGDADDYKOOL closed a double for Nunes and Steadman. Nunes, in whose late father's honour the feature was run, had opened the programme with 3-1 shot SHE'S SYMBOLIC.

Steadman booted home even-money chance TRANSFUSION in the fourth to outdo the hot, new apprentices, who accounted for four winners on the 11-race card.