Raheeb rocketed into Epsom Handicap favouritism with his victory in Wednesday's Cameron Handicap at Newcastle which gained him automatic entry to next month's Group One race.Bought by big spending Nathan Tinkler for a six figure sum, Raheeb inflicted the first defeat on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Ashikaga in Wednesday's 1400m Group Three feature sponsored by Tinkler's Patinack Farm.Raheeb is trained by Anthony Cummings and before had only won a Wyong maiden and a Port Macquarie Class two.TAB Spo

Raheeb rocketed into Epsom Handicap favouritism with his victory in Wednesday's Cameron Handicap at Newcastle which gained him automatic entry to next month's Group One race.

Bought by big spending Nathan Tinkler for a six figure sum, Raheeb inflicted the first defeat on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Ashikaga in Wednesday's 1400m Group Three feature sponsored by Tinkler's Patinack Farm.

Raheeb is trained by Anthony Cummings and before had only won a Wyong maiden and a Port Macquarie Class two.

TAB Sportsbet elevated him to $4.50 for the Epsom Hcp (1600m) on October 4 with former equal favourite Bank Robber now $5.50 and his stablemate Ashikaga now at $11 after also being $5 before today.

Trainer Anthony Cummings said Raheeb would go to the Cox Plate after the Epsom.

Raheeb bounded away to win by 3-1/4 lengths from the favourite Ashikaga with Falaise, the winner of the Newcastle Newmarket earlier this year, a further long head away third.

"This horse has loads of courage," jockey Danny Nikolic said.

"He peaked at the 100 metres but then got going again.

"Everything went perfectly.

"He is a horse with a lot of ability and is a joy to ride."

Raheeb was originally trained by Tim Martin and gave a glimpse of his ability last year with placings in the Phar Lap Stakes and Doomben Classic and a close up fifth in the Queensland Guineas.

After being bought by Tinkler and entering Cummings' stable, Raheeb's return to racing was delayed due to a few minor problems.

He resumed for his new connections when a close second to the Martin-trained Typhoon Zed in the Concorde Stakes at Rosehill on August 30.

Typhoon Zed franked that form by winning the first Group One race of the season, the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley last Saturday.

Tinkler said Raheeb, by Royal Academy, would be retired to stud next season.

"There are some top class races to win with him first and this is the start," Tinkler said, "Really, this is what it is all about."