Gritty Anthracite sets new class record at Rosehill

Anthracite (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) produced a brave front-running performance to win the Kia Ora Bloodlines To Headlines Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday, setting a new class record and strengthening trainer Joe Pride’s belief that bigger targets lie ahead.

The New Zealand-bred six-year-old dictated throughout under Andrew Adkins, sustaining a strong gallop before digging deep in the straight to claim his fifth victory from just 13 starts.

It was a performance that played to the gelding’s strengths, with Pride keen to ensure the race became a test of stamina.

“It was part of the plan to get going a little bit early, and I think that is this horse’s strength,” Pride said.

“When he gets caught in a bit of a dash home, you can see he is always there fighting at the end, but he can be left a little bit flat-footed.

“He’s a horse that next preparation I can see running a mile and a half. He is a very smart horse.”

Anthracite joined Pride after winning three of his first four starts for Murray Bridge trainer Gary Boyce. He has now collected A$308,750 in prizemoney, with five placings complementing his five wins.

The Listed A$750,000 Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m), to be run at Randwick in three weeks, could provide his next assignment, although Pride will assess how he comes through Saturday’s effort before committing.

“We will see how he pulls up. He is a very tough horse, and it is a while until the autumn carnival, and that is when I’ve told the owners that we will see him as a genuine player,” Pride said.

“He is still learning his craft. He has come a long way from a horse that was getting wound up pre-race. He has now got a good routine, and the track has a little bit of sting out and is perfect today.”

Adkins said Anthracite’s improving manners were helping him deliver on the track.

“He is just getting better. He is obviously getting fitter with the more he is doing, and Joe has done a terrific job with him,” Adkins said.

“His pre-race manners are much calmer, and he is executing his races better.

“He keeps a solid gallop up but relaxes within himself when he gets left alone. He got into a good rhythm, and I wasn’t afraid to go a bit early as I know he sustains a good run.

“It was a case of catch me if you can.”

Bred by Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd, Anthracite is by Mongolian Khan out of the Savabeel mare Scarlet’s Secret (NZ).

He is a half-brother to Stylish Secret (NZ) (Sweet Orange), a five-race winner in Melbourne for trainer Mick Nolan, and was sold as a yearling through gavelhouse.com for $1200.