Haripour runs away with RM Ansett Classic

With an abundance of stayers on his books, trainer Darren Weir took advantage of a stakes race at Mornington to claim a hat-trick of wins for Haripour.

The Weir stable saddled five runners in the Listed RM Ansett Classic over 2400m and a well-judged ride by Ben Allen on the heavily-backed $2.70 favourite resulted in the import proving too strong.

Allen allowed Haripour, who had previously been successful at Cranbourne and Morphettville, to settle back in the field.

He said it wasn’t his intention to settle as far back but was happy with how the five-year-old relaxed.

“I thought I’d be a bit closer but the way it panned out I decided to come back,” Allen said.

“I got a beautiful run and the way they rolled I thought it was a big effort to win and he really showed his strength late.

“He’s going through his grades nicely and he’s won his last three straight.

“Wherever he goes next he’ll be hard to beat.”

Stable spokesman Darryn Murphy was unsure of plans for the Irish-bred import but was expecting a big run on Saturday.

“He looked absolutely beautiful in the yard,” Murphy said.

“The boss and all the staff have done a tremendous job with this horse who is enjoying his racing.

“I’m not sure what the boss has in mind but there might be a nice race at Caulfield or during Cup week at Flemington.

“A nice staying race. I’m sure he’d be up to it.”

The Ansett Classic wasn’t the only 2400m race at Mornington on Saturday that attracted a number of Weir horses.

The Jack Dow Memorial Handicap, a benchmark 70 affair, saw Weir saddle five runners, coming home with the trifecta.

Steel Prince was impressive after covering ground early in holding off Truly High with Imperial Edition in third place.

The win of Steel Prince followed earlier Weir success with Royal Music and Sirius Suspect.