The hard luck story surrounding the Steve Wolfe trained Kalahaar was finally overturned at Belmont today, with a slashing victory in the listed $100,000 Farnley Stakes 1400m.
Overshadowed this winter carnival by the classy Settle Strada, the 5yo Choisir gelding finally turned the tables on its major rival, with a barnstorming run from near last to claim the feature by a length.
Posting consecutive second placing’s behind the four time feature race champ, Kalahaar ($3.80) relished the 5kg swing in the weights to run down Settle Strada ($2.30 fav) inside the final furlong with jockey Shaun McGruddy executing a copy-book ride.
2012 Holton Sprint victor Zester ($16.00) ran a mighty race to finish third from a handy position, while this year’s Hyperion Stakes winner Black Tycoon ($7.00) worked home well late to secure fourth.
The powerful result over the 1400m trip stands Kalahaar in good stead for the upcoming Hannans Handicap (1400m) in Kalgoorlie later this month.
With the “monkey now off one’s back”, a successful Team-Wolfe Goldfields assault has never looked better.
Chris Blackwell