Eighth in the Group I ATC Golden Rose last year for Anthony Cummings, Cluster has thrived for his new trainers Peter and Paul Snowden winning two of his three runs since joining the stable.
Sent out favourite for the 1400 metre Theo Marks, Cluster found himself last turning for home, but when angled into the clear by Tim Clark he descended quickly to reel in the leaders and win by half a neck.
"Full credit to the horse. Once he got to the outside, he showed his class," said Snowden.
"He wasn't ridden ideally through circumstance, but still stamped himself as the class horse."
With three wins and three placings from 10 starts and prizemoney topping $280,000, Cluster will now get his chance in Group I company with the MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on September 28 his likely next target.
"I think the Rupert Clark Stakes is the perfect race for him at the handicap," Snowden said.
A homebred for Peter and Wendy Moran, Cluster is a half-brother to
stakes-placed Inkling and is the best of four winners from stakes-winning Last
Tycoon (IRE) mare Tarcoola Diamond, a grand-daughter of Group I AJC Champagne Stakes
winner I Like Diamonds.Bought by the Moran's for $430,000 at the Inglis Broodmare Sale in 2010, Tarcoola Diamond has a yearling full sister to Cluster and is due to foal to Exceed and Excel.
Cluster is the 64th stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock, who enjoyed great results at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week with four yearlings averaging $US502,500 which put him third behind only US based Tapit and War Front on the leading sire by average with three or more sold.
