Russian Revolution in surprise Consul win

Russian Revolution has stamped himself among spring’s heavyweight colts with a shock victory in the Roman Consul Stakes.

Saturday’s Group Two at Randwick loomed as a match-race between Astern and Capitalist but Russian Revolution had other ideas.

Golden Rose winner Astern jumped the $1.40 favourite but had too much to do as jockey James McDonald attempted to win the race from last.

Russian Revolution ($9) was tiring in the final 50m but dug deep to hold off the Godolphin colt by a head.

Stewards questioned McDonald over his ride, but he said he took the horse to the tail of the six-horse field to get cover and prevent Astern from over-racing.

Conversely, Russian Revolution’s jockey Kerrin McEvoy was happy to lead despite the strong headwind.

“Everyone is frightened to go forward because they have to face into that stiff breeze,” Peter Snowden said.

“He did that but relaxed really well and was very good late too.

“It worked out perfectly.”

McEvoy said Russian Revolution’s capacity to relax while facing the wind was key to his victory.

“I could hear something coming. I knew it was either Astern or Capitalist,” McEvoy said.

“It was all guns blazing the last 50 metres.

“He is a quality little colt in his own right. His best is ahead of him for sure.”

Dynamic in his two-year-old season, stablemate and Golden Slipper winner Capitalist ($3.50) was beaten the second time in as many starts as a three-year-old, finishing 1-1/4lengths behind Astern.

“He was good,” Snowden said.

“I was thinking in the run he was getting a bit keen early but then he settled really well.

“The other horse (Russian Revolution) was just a bit more race fit.”

The three placegetters could meet again at Group One level in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Derby day.

“I need to talk to the team about what they want to do with Capitalist but I’d be prepared to go on with him,” Snowden said.