Patriarch ‘s emphatic success in the first leg of the Two-Year-Old ‘Triple Crown’ series – the Cash Pot ‘Only One For Me’ Trophy (six furlongs – 1,200m) on Saturday last – was the best single performance by any juvenile this season.

After an encouraging debut on September 16 over the five-furlong (1,000m) straight, winning by 10 lengths in a quick 58.3, Patriarch, the outstanding offspring of Casual Trick – Electrifying, delivered another superb run that placed him firmly ahead of his peers.

Under the guidance of Dick Cardenas, the Anthony Nunes trainee quickened his pace and opened a five-length lead on the field heading towards the half-mile (800m).

Approaching the final bend, although Patriarch was still under a snug wrap, Another Vigorous (Dane Dawkins) made a bold move when he was sent in chase of the leader, rapidly reducing the lead.

Turning for home, for a brief moment it looked as if Another Vigorous would overhaul Patriarch, but Cardenas urged his mount to produce something extra and pulled away to score with authority by three parts of a length over Another Vigorous, with Greek Goddess in third position some five-and-a-half lengths away. The winning time was 1:12.0.

“Well, Patriarch drew number one and so there wasn’t much to think about. We had to put him in front, and if Another Vigorous was good enough to run him down, then I would lift my hat off to him as he would be the best. Patriarch was asked to go in front and he did go in front and made every post a winning one,” Nunes told the Supreme Racing Guide.

Although Patriarch is not qualified for the $1 million bonus offered by sponsor Supreme Ventures Limited, there is no doubt that Nunes will try to win all three races in the series to repeat the feat achieved in 2013 by Princess Popstar.

“No, he isn’t eligible for the $1 million bonus because he wasn’t bought in the yearling sales; he was bred by Elias Haloute. Nothing different going into the Pick3 Super Challenge Trophy. I think that he will get the seven furlongs comfortably.

“The border line is whether or not he can get a mile, but he is such a talented colt and if he learns to relax a little bit, then maybe we can have some fun,” Nunes said.

The second leg in the series is scheduled for November 25 with the running of the Pick 3 Super Challenge Trophy over seven furlongs (1,400m) for a purse of $3.6 million. The third and final leg will take place on December 26 (Boxing Day) with the running of the $4-million SVL Two-Year-Old Stakes over a mile (1,600m).