The judge took their time to confirm that Is It Me ($5) was the winner of Race 6 with the progressive four-year-old holding on by the barest of margins over the fast-finishing Bel Air ($6) a nose away in second.
Beaten first up by subsequent Thousand Guineas placegetter Skybird, Is It Me missed the start at Bendigo second up but was able to flow into the race from a wide gate under Jordan Childs, hitting the front early and causing tension amongst connections as Bel Air put his head down on the line.
Trainer Daniel Bowman found the wide draw a blessing in disguise after Is It Me struck trouble from barrier one last start.
“I think he could be Group or Listed level in time, but he’s just got to go through his grades and learn his craft. He did everything right and was aided by a really good ride. Hopefully the penny has started to drop and we can raise the bar slowly,” Bowman said.
Foujita San gives Childs a treble
Jockey Jordan Childs recorded a treble on Cranbourne Cup day, booting home $21 chance Foujita San after scoring on Revolutionary Miss and Is It Me earlier on the card.
The pace went on mid-race over the 2025m and Foujita San flew home to win narrowly over Glentaneous ($5.50) and Gregolimo ($4.20 fav) who snuck up the inside and hit the front with 100m to go.
Midfield in the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield two starts back, Foujita San was disappointing in an easier race at Flemington last time out when tenth but Childs got the best out of him, dropping 4.5kg from last start.
“The blinkers went on today as well (which) probably helped and the Hawkes team certainly know what they’re doing. It’s great to get another winner for them,” Childs said.