Despite stepping up in class with more weight to carry, trainer Paul Charlton said that while many racegoers didn’t give Cartel any chance, he was confident that his charge could get the job done in Wednesday’s War Zone Sprint Trophy feature.

Cartel (Jerome Innis), carrying top weight of 57.0 kg (126 lb), produced a stubborn run in deep stretch to get the better of A.P.I by a neck in the Restricted Stakes event for native-bred three-year-olds.

The bay gelding continued to show signs of vast improvement and covered the distance in a quick 1:06.0.

“Despite the weight and the new class, I was always confident in my horse to get the job done,” Charlton said.

Cartel got a good break, but had to watch proceedings in the early part of the race as Balazo set the trail.

When Innis let Cartel loose at the half-mile (800m), the bay gelding got closer to Balazo on the inside before taking over approaching the final bend.

However, in deep stretch Cartel had to withstand the late and sustained challenge of A.P.I to register his third- consecutive victory. Killer Bee did well for third place.

“I told the jockey just to get a good break, sit close to the leaders and start to pick off the horses from three furlongs out, but he made his move earlier than I thought.

“It was a good performance as he ( Cartel) continues to show improvement with each run. I think that he is a nice horse and will win in Overnight Allowance company,” Carlton stated.

— Ruddy Allen