German import Almandin scored his first win on Australian soil when he strode away for an easy victory in the Listed $120,000 italktravel Harry White Classic (2400m) at Caulfield today.

Almandin, above, scores and easy win in the Harry White Classic at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Robert Hickmott trained Almandin was having his fourth run for the stable and appreciated the step up to the 2400m following his last start fifth over 2040m in a Moonee Valley Handicap on September 3.

Winning jockey Damien Oliver had Almandin ($5) settled in third position in the seven horse field and moved up to the leaders on the home turn before moving away in the straight to record a comfortable win over his stablemate Assign ($6) with the consistent Black Tomahawk ($3.70) battling away for third spot.

Oliver said that Almandin gave him a good feel today and he is confident that the seven year old will find his best form over the staying distances.

“Shinramo (the leader) really rolled along. I was able to get a good trail, I came out down the side and O’Lonera got going and I was able to get on the back of him and he travelled into it sweetly,” Oliver said.

“He actually gave me a good kick today this horse, he gave me a good feel. He has had good European form but probably hasn’t shown his best until here today.”

“This horse could finding form just at the right time.”

Third placegetter Black Tomahawk recorded his sixth placings from his last six starts while the $3.40 favourite The Bandit settled at the rear of the seven horse field and failed to pass a runner in the straight.

While Almandin is not nominated for the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 15, he is entered in the Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 1 and in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November.