Fastnet Colt Back to Best

An unlucky fourth in the Group I ATC Golden Rose last spring, promising colt Ninth Legion (3c Fastnet Rock x Xaar's Jewel, by Xaar) looks ready to recapture his best form judging by his stylish win at Sandown on Wednesday. Transferred from Anthony Cummings to John Hawkes and his sons at the end of his spring preparation, talented three year-old Ninth Legion indicated he was on the way back to his best with a tenacious win. Considered unlucky when resuming from a spell and finishing fourth to Zin Zan Eddie at Canterbury on February 13, Ninth Legion appreciated a return to firmer footing for this 1400 metre Benchmark 82 event and led throughout before fighting on to win by a neck. “It’s always hard to beat older horses so it was a good win,” said Wayne Hawkes. “You wouldn’t believe the times he runs on the track, he’s a high class horse this bloke. “We just had to get him out of Sydney and away from the bog tracks and now he’ll keep winning.” Ninth Legion was a modest $110,000 purchase from the Edinglassie Stud draft at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and runs in the colours of Segenhoe Thoroughbreds, his overall record now three wins from nine starts with prizemoney nearing $200,000. He is the first foal of Xaar’s Jewel, a winning half-sister to stakes-winner Kidlat and to the dam of Group I NZ Two Thousand Guineas winner Tell a Tale.