Gold Standard has completed an impressive performance to win the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

Last-start winner Addictive Nature could only manage third in the Stan Fox Stakes this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart

Gold Standard had finished no-worse than second through three career starts prior to this afternoon’s Group 2 and he did his chances of continuing his strong run of form no harm when jumping well and immediately taking up the running.

Jockey Josh Parr steadied the horse across the back straight at gave up the lead to The Mission, who worked down the outside of the field after beginning greenly.

Enjoying a carefree run in transit, the Sebring colt was offered a clear racing line upon arriving at the final straight this afternoon and made it count; kicking clear of his rivals to post a dominant two-length win over Sanctioned; Addictive Nature running on for third.

Parr delivered a gem of a ride aboard Gold Standard to win the Stan Fox Stakes and believes that the horse will take plenty of beating throughout the remainder of his spring campaign.

“I am rapt to win on him, guess who has finally turned into a race horse!” Parr said after the race.

“I said pre-race that he’s physically been there for a long time, but mentally he just hasn’t stepped up yet. He’s in town now.

“I jumped really well and The Mission didn’t jump all that well, so I pressed forward and I tried to go as steady as I could because I knew at some point, The Mission would be coming.

“He gave me a really nice cart into the race, but what a nice colt (Gold Standard). Gai and Adrian have produced him in fantastic order.”

Co-trainer Adrian Bott was on hand for Gold Standard’s Stan Fox Stakes win and revealed that a run in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) in a fortnight is the horse’s likely plan.

“He was really impressive today and I think he’s a special colt for us going forward,” Bott said.

“Last start he was a little bit slow away, so it was a big effort considering and today they all broke cleanly and he had the tactical speed to be able to put himself into the race.

“It wasn’t necessarily the plan to lead, but full credit to Josh because he took control of the race and was able to suit.”

After spending too much energy finding the lead, The Mission tailed off to finish at the rear of the Stan Fox Stakes field.