Home Affairs ($7) has taken out a thrilling Black Caviar Lightning down the Flemington straight on Saturday, holding off Nature Strip in a photo finish.
The three-year-old Chris Waller colt put in a brave performance against some more experienced rivals, making the most of a tardy start from superstar Nature Strip to collect a second Group 1 victory.
Stablemate Nature Strip was a $2.20 pre-race favourite but was slow coming out of the gates, seeing it shuffled back a length or two.
Jamie Kah was able to guide Nature Strip to the outside and give Home Affairs a serious challenge for the lead but the speedster couldn’t quite overhaul the winner.
Second favourite Eduardo was third across the line but didn’t have the kick required when it counted.
“It was a tragedy from the start for Nature Strip unfortunately,” Waller said after the race.
“He didn’t just get one knock, he then got a sandwich as well so for him to recover like that and run so close, I think it probably makes it disappointing for the connections.
“The new boy on the block, Home Affairs, it was a big gamble bringing him here today, he simply raced against the young horses and dominated last preparation and now he’s come back and beaten the best at weight-for-age, so pretty exciting heading forward.”
