Kilty Express takes out 2016 Group 1 Maturity Classic
KILTY Express produced the best performance of his career on Saturday night, taking out the Group 1 Maturity Classic (525m) at The Meadows.
Trained by Ray Drew, Kilty Express began well from box six, but had to settle for second spot in the early stages as Ultimate Magic (box five) mustered pace on the inside to take the lead.
Heading down the back and Ultimate Magic was high-balling out in front for Anthony Azzopardi, kicking clear of Kilty Express and Shima Song (box two) for defending trainer Andrea Dailly.
Coming off the back and Ultimate Magic looked the winner, but Kilty Express wasn't going down without a fight, starting a run down the centre of the track to find the front in the shadows of the post to score by 0.19 lengths.
Shima Song ran on to grab second, with Ultimate Magic fading in the concluding stages to finish third.
Clocking 30.18, it was the 10th career victory for Kilty Express at just his 26th start, with the son of Kilty Lad and Bogie Jewel having qualified for the feature by run second in both his heat and semi-final.
However, the consistent chaser proved he was the best dog on the night on Saturday, taking his career earnings to over $130,000 with the determined victory.