The admirably consistent Devoted made it three wins in as many weeks with a typically gritty performance in Saturday’s Listed WAROA-Belmont Guineas (1600m).
With Clint Johnston-Porter in the saddle for Michael Grantham, the flashy chestnut son of Xtravagant enjoyed a charmed run, one out and one back.
After dispatching the leading pair Rokanori and Black Fantasy shortly after straightening, Devoted held the fast-finishing Searchin' Roc's by a long-head with a further three-quarter length back to Black Fantasy (Blackfriars) in third.
It was the second consecutive stakes success for Devoted following his win in last week’s Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Belmont.
Grantham indicated the Peters Investments homebred had done enough this preparation and would not press on to the Aquanita Stakes or Belmont Classic with a long-range view to the Group 1 Railway Stakes and Group 1 Kingston Town Classic later in the year..
The son of Xtravagant is now three for three since his switch to Grantham from Grant Williams while advancing his record to four wins and two thirds from seven starts with earnings of $73,200.
Devoted is the best of three foals from as many to race from the 6-time winning Anabaa (USA) mare Morning Mist, a daughter of Flaming Heart.
By the Widden Stud stallion Salieri (USA), Flaming Heart won the Group III Thoroughbred Club Stakes and Listed The Great Western on Melbourne Cup day.
Flaming Heart was every bit as successful as a broodmare with ten winners from as many to race. They were led by Group II Perth Cup winner and Group 1 Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes runner-up Real Love (Desert War), the Group III Asian Beau Stakes winners Heart Starter (Domesday) and Suspicion (Mukddaam), the dam of stakes-winner Morant (Fusaichi Pegasus).
Morning Mist has two other sons of Xtravagant waiting in the wings. They are the unraced 2yo gelding Authorative and a yearling named Dorset Tide.
After foaling another colt by Xtravagant last spring, Morning Mist visited Toronado (IRE).
