Raceway Remains Undefeated

Champion jockey Hugh Bowman believes the More Than Ready (USA) colt Raceway is on track for the Group 1AAMI Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) despite the odds on favourite having to battle harder than his supporters would have wished to land Saturday's Listed Sharp Canonbury Stakes(1100m) at Warwick Farm.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained 2yo was given a fight by the royally bred first starter Shalford who stubbornly refused to yield until the final few strides. Darley Stud's Narcissus, a son of the champion 2yo filly Hasna, also made an impressive career debut to finish third.

Raceway was promoted to the top of Golden Slipper betting with an outstanding debut win at Warwick Farm on January 7.

While punters that laid the $1.35 chance had reason to sweat in the straight, trainer Gai Waterhouse said she did not have a moments worry.

"It was unbelievably dominant," Waterhouse said.

"He was never going to be beaten, he was always so strong.

"I think people thought he was going to win by a bigger margin but the thing is he's still learning," Waterhouse said. "He's such a big horse.

"You don't have to win the Slipper by 10 lengths. I've won three of them and you only have to win by a head."

Bowman echoed those sentiments.

"He's a class horse, a natural athlete," Bowman said.

"A readymade two-year-old that's bombproof with the gears to make his own luck. There is plenty to like about him."

Bred by Corumbene Stud, Raceway was purchased by Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds for $150,000 at the 2011 Inglis Easter Yearling sale.

He is the third foal of the Flying Spur mare Claws who showed littlie ability in her four start career but is proving a sound buy for Corumbene Stud's owner George Altomonti who secured the mare for $25,000 through bloodstock agent Vin Cox at the 2008 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She made that back with change when the Reset filly she was carrying at the time made $35,000 as a yearling.

Claws has a filly foal by Not A Single Doubt and was bred back to More Than Ready (USA) last ye4ar.

Raceway becomes the 93rd stakes-winner for Vinery Stud's shuttle stallion More Than Ready (USA) who has Blue Diamond favourite Samaready running next Saturday.