Peter Robl kept his strong record intact aboard Ninth Legion as the Team Hawkes trained galloper signalled he could be a Villiers Stakes contender. Robl steered Ninth Legion to his first two career wins when under the care of Anthony Cummings and was delighted to get another opportunity at Rosehill, reports Racing Network.
"I've had three rides on him previously for two wins so he's been a very good horse for me," Robl said. "The team (Hawkes) had him spot on today; he attacked the line like the promising horse he was two preparations ago so I think they have got him heading back in the right direction. He will pick up a nice race along the way. 'd say the gelding of him has made a huge difference; he felt today that he wanted to be a racehorse and if he keeps going that way he will win a nice race."
Ninth Legion held off the late charge from Said Com with Soledad running third. Malavio firmed from $4 to $3.50 favourite and was forced to do a lot of work from a wide barrier to find the lead.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said Ninth Legion would likely have one more run before the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick December 14.
"He ran in some good races early as a colt and this preparation he's a gelding...he is a lot more focused, he wants to be a race horse," Hawkes said. "His last start was a good run (at Hawkesbury), he was only beaten by half a nostril."