Ridden by Anton Marcus from a wide draw, the favourite Barahin tucked in further back than expected and was second last turning for home and at least 10 lengths off the pace.

However Barahin worked up some solid momentum and sailed on by in the closing stages to score by a length over Shenanigans.

The Sheikh Hamdan-owned Barahin will be weighted with a mere 53kg in the Durban July at Greyville and with his proven affinity for that course has to be a serious contender.

“He’s not the most enthusiastic early on but he’s a nice horse and has a very bright future,” Marcus said.

Marcus also rode Sheikh Hamdan’s Alyasaaat to beat a host of July hopefuls easily in the Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m to complete a four timer on the day for trainer Mike de Kock.

Barahin had his rating increased from 108 to 112 after his Jubilee Handicap win where he underlined the strength of the current three-year-old crop by beating some useful older rivals.