They came, they saw and they conquered.
The eastern states raiders made it a clean sweep of Perth’s Group 1 races when Light Infantry Man rebounded to win the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Giving powerhouse trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey, Ethan Brown the final Group 1 of the Australian year, Light Infantry Man got one back after a luckless Railway.
The Fast Company gelding was a beaten favourite in the Railway Stakes (1600m) two weeks ago, but with James McDonald aboard, raced without luck when 12th of 16 to Port Lockroy.
With McDonald in Hong Kong, Brown grabbed his chance with both hands and was positive and assertive on Light Infantry Man, working across from a wide barrier to sit outside the leader Marocchino.
Ominously poised to strike at the top of the straight, Light Infantry Man shot clear and had enough in hand to fend off the fast-finishing Admiration Express.
A 100 to 1 shot, Admiration Express ran out of her skin for second, ¾ of a length shy of the winner with Socks Nation capping a huge day for the Maher stable when third.
Light Infantry Man claimed his second win in Australia with the former European galloper saluting in the Chester Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last month.
The six-year-old ensured Perth’s rich prizemoney headed east for a third straight week after Port Lockroy won the Railway and Overpass the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
Will Bourne, representing the Maher stable, said the race panned out perfectly for Light Infantry Man.
“It exactly went to plan, go out and be positive,” Bourne said.
“His asset is a high cruising speed and that’s what he showed today.
“I’ve never seen him so relaxed and glowing in the coat.”
Brown won his sixth Group 1 and fifth in combination with Maher, a personal coup that was heavily influenced by McDonald after his Railway Stakes sit a couple of weeks ago.
“I spoke to James and he was adamant he probably should have won the other day,” Brown said.
“It did look like that.
“Drawing out today really helped us and he was able to lob in a beautiful spot.
“We were able to control the race and that’s what he wanted.
“To win the race we had to get the first 400m right and after that it was easy.”
Local hope, Super Smink, who started the $4.80 favourite, got a long way back and finished ninth.
