GITANO Hernando opened his account for 2010 with an easy win in the Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield on February 27.
Team Valor's four-year old remains firmly on target for the Dubai World Cup on March 27 and came through this test with flying colours.
Gitano Hernando was conceding weight all round to his rivals for this assignment but victory never looked in doubt as he travelled smoothly throughout for Jockey Kieren Fallon.
Suits Me made sure there was a strong early pace and Fallon just settled the 4/7 favourite towards the rear of the field.
Gitano Hernando made steady progress along the back straight and moved up to join the leaders on turning for home.
Despite being a little ring-rusty when asked to quicken Gitano Hernando showed an impressive turn of foot to put the race to bed in a matter of strides, passing the post four and a half lengths clear of his nearest pursuer.
The son of Hernando, who gave Marco Botti his first Grade 1 win in the Goodwood Stakes last October, should come on for this outing and be in top condition for his crack at the world's richest race in four weeks time. |