KEY POINTS:
Well-bred colt All American upgraded his Blue Diamond Stakes prospects with a resounding win in the Listed St Albans Stakes at Moonee Valley yesterday.
All American started equal favourite with stablemate Joyful Warrior in the 1200m event, and trounced the opposition.
Approaching the home turn, Brad Rawiller was forced five wide on the Red Ransom colt in the field of six but it made no difference to the result with All American dashing away in the straight for a two-length win over Hybrid with Confounded 1 1/4 lengths away third.
Joyful Warrior led but was a beaten horse on the home turn and he dead-heated for fourth with Lodore Falls.
Stable foreman Gary Fennessy said All American had suddenly emerged in the last two months after the stable had considered spelling him.
"In the last two months he has gone from a horse we looked like turning out after a bit of experience to being one of the best," Fennessy said. "He is very smart and rates up there with the better 2-year-olds we've had.
"He just has to win a Group One or Group Two to prove that but we will be looking at the majors with him in the autumn."
All American won his only other start under lights at Moonee Valley on December 7 but Fennessy believes he will be even better when he races on bigger tracks.
With a softer run yesterday he said the winning margin could have been as much as five lengths.
Rawiller said All American was beaten for early speed but the plan was to hold him up for a late run.
"They took off and pushed me wide," Rawiller said.
"I was certainly in trouble but I still thought I had them covered because I hadn't gone for home."
A A$220,000 ($253,281) Magic Millions yearling, All American is from dual winner Milva who is a half-sister to Rock Hard Ten who won America's Group One Santa Anita Handicap.
Hybrid, who made an encouraging debut, is related to Elvstroem and Haradasun and is raced by Nick Williams and Makybe Diva's owner Tony Santic.
- AAP
