Tough Ajax Stakes victory secures Cristal Clear's Doncaster Mile ticket

Braith Nock, the standout apprentice, notched the standout result yet in his developing career by steering Cristal Clear to victory in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes.

Rob Archibald, the trainer, revealed Cristal Clear's next target is the Doncaster Mile, scheduled for the renowned Royal Randwick mile distance on April 4 as part of Day One at The Championships.

With a light weight of 50kg assigned in the Doncaster, Cristal Clear avoids ballot requirements and penalties courtesy of his Ajax Stakes result.

"The Doncaster is our aim this preparation, we thought we might have to go through the Doncaster Prelude,'' Archibald said. "But full credit to Braith (Nock) and our team at home, they've presented him in really good order today.

"I thought Braith rode him perfectly first-up. We said 'just have him where he's happy and see where he's at' and he was excellent."

Cristal Clear at $5.50 fended off Robusto ($26) in the dying stages to win by a narrow head margin, as Enxuto, sent off at $3.60 as favourite, ended up third, half a length adrift.

Training alongside his wife Annabel, Archibald was caught off guard when informed of granting Nock his breakthrough stakes win.

"I didn't even know that,'' Archibald said. "We've had a really good association with Braith and Group One Thoroughbreds who have been so loyal to us and given us some good opportunities.

"Cristal Clear has obviously come back a bit better again and he just keeps stepping up each preparation."

Sydney's premier apprentice Nock was at a loss for words after capturing the Group 2 Ajax Stakes.

"I've been knocked off in a Group 3 before but I've managed to get this one today so it's really good,'' Nock said.

"The Archibalds have been nothing but supportive of me, and this horse especially, we've been through the grades together.

"He's just so relaxed, he's acting like he's had five runs in the prep. He's just an ultimate professional.

"It feels like we're going slow but he's got that big stride. I think he's just a good horse with a good attitude."

Last spring, Cristal Clear hinted at talent by stringing together three successive triumphs, one being the Dubbo Gold Cup, before registering competitive sixths in the Golden Eagle and Big Dance.

Archibald maintains the four-year-old has elevated his game once more this autumn, setting him up to chase the historic Ajax Stakes-Doncaster Mile feat accomplished by It's Somewhat (2017), Grand Armee (2003), Vite Cheval (1984) and Tontonan (1974).

Discover competitive racing betting markets for Cristal Clear's Doncaster Mile campaign at leading online bookmakers.