Classy galloper Boban highlighted another successful day for Darley stallions with a Group 1 victory in Randwick’s Epsom Hcp (1600m) on Saturday.

Boban (4g Bernardini – Kenbelle by Kenmare) overcame a check in running to score a stunning last stride victory in the time-honoured mile.  “Patience has been the key,” trainer Chris Waller explained.  “We’ve managed to teach him to relax and that has made a real difference.”

The gelding defeated Group 1 mare Streama and fellow Bernardini four year-old Toydini in one of the closest Epsom finishes in recent years.  Waller will now take him to Melbourne for the G1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) on the final day of the Cup Carnival at Flemington.

Boban was bred in Queensland by Greendale Lodge and was a $100,000 buy at the 2011 Gold Coast Magic Millions.  He is the sixth winner from 1996 G1 Australian Oaks winner Kenbelle.  The mare has a 2yo filly by Teofilo and a yearling colt by Authorized).

The Epsom completed a hat-trick for Boban after a restricted victory at Rosehill and a last-start win in the G3 Bill Ritchie Hcp at Randwick.  He is owned by a syndicate that includes John O’Neill and Mike Pejic who also raced Group 1 star Mummify.

Darley sires began a big day at Randwick when Exceed And Excel filly Guelph won the G1 Flight Stakes (1600m).

At Flemington, Sheikh Mohammed’s stallions also completed a feature double with Paximadia (Commands) in the LR Vintage Stakes (1410m) and Platelet (Strategic) in the G2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m).

– Karl Patterson