A brave effort by Gatting in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington has earned him the biggest win of his career and given his sire, Hard Spun his 11th victory at racing’s elite level.
One of the outsiders among a field of proven and emerging stars, Gatting enjoyed the run of the race before sprinting to the lead at the 200m and going to the line without being threatened.
Gatting won by three-quarters of a length from the latest glamour horse of Australian racing, Mystic Journey, with the G1 Queensland Derby winner Mr Quickie in third place.
An honest and talented horse, Gatting has long been one of Western Australia’s better performers, having won the G2 WA Derby in 2017 among 11 victories.
He becomes the third of Hard Spun’s Australian-bred G1 winners, alongside the outstanding South African performer Ertijaal and Le Romain.
Gatting is the first foal, and one of four to race, from the Lonhro mare Stubborn.
Hard Spun stands at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky.
