Xtravagant Evades Interference

Racenet.com.au reports:

The start was delayed when Its Ben Again burst through the starting gates prior to the jump, then The Justice League fell after 600 metres as he went forward to take a trail behind the favourite.

None of this affected Xtravagant ($1.40 fav.), who went clear around the home turn under Matthew Cameron and, although tiring towards the finish, was always holding the late rallyfrom His Majesty ($51) to score by 1 1/4-lengths in 1.22.62.

Stephen Autridge, who trains the son of Pentire in partnership with Jamie Richards, told NZ Racing News that despite the short odds, he did have some concerns pre-race.

"He wasn't wound up for the race as he has a decent campaign ahead of him,” Autridge said.

"Some people were also a little concerned about his form right-handed although I wasn't worried about that as he had shown us at home he handles it okay.

"The plan today was just to let him do his own thing and see how it would pan out and being the athlete that he is, it worked out well.

"He showed blistering gate speed and although he was getting a little tired towards the end he did all we could ask of him.”

Autridge and Richards will now aim Xtravagant towards a second Group I victory in the Levin Classic at Trentham on January 16 before planning a path to the Group I Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 5.

Ronchi ($27) finished a nose away third. The Justice League galloped after the field following his fall while rider Lee Tiley was stood down from her remaining engagements despite being cleared of any major injury.