Don Story's flyer Rain Affair made it nine wins in a row in Saturday's $250,000 Group 2 Hako Australia Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
The 4yo son of Commands led every step of the way under Corey Brown to record a two and a quarter lengths victory over Shoot Out (High Chaparral) who edged at his stablemate Daneleigh (Mujahid) for second. (photo Steve Hart)
Trainer Joe Pride said the gelding would most likely make his next start in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
In 11 starts, Rain Affair has won 10 and finished second once while banking over $684,000.
"He is an amazing horse to watch race and he sends a chill up the spine," Pride said
"He is just going to keep winning if he races like that."
"I'm happy with the progress he's making and on that it's a pretty good Newmarket trial."
"There's a few things to consider."
"He wasn't on his best behaviour before the race and I don't think it's slowing him down but at the same time if you take a horse away you have the extra added pressure.
"A crowd of 50 to 60,000 people at Flemington might upset him a bit.
"If we didn't go to Melbourne he'll have four weeks off and run in the Canterbury Stakes over 1300 metres then he might just go around in the T J (Smith) and the All Aged.
"The weight-for-age scale suits him."
A homebred for Don Storey Rain Affair is the second foal of the Sydney winning Octagonal mare I Believe the winner of 4 from 5 starts.
I Believe has a 2yo filly by Shamardal(USA) named Gullible, a
yearling filly by Artie Schiller (USA), and Domesday colt foal. She was bred back to Exceed And Excel last year.