Almighty Class returns to his best form to capture Cyril Flower Stakes upon resumption for new trainer

Almighty Class was back in a big way on Saturday and endorsed his claims for even greater success this preparation with the cosiest of victories in the Listed $125,000 Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) at Ascot. Beginning brightly, the warm $2.65 TABtouch favourite disputed the initial pace before William Pike allowed Sky Duke ($41) to cross and share the front-running with Asphalt ($5.50). The two front-runners did not relent on the tempo and sped through the opening sections briskly, with Sky Duke opening up by more than three lengths over Almighty Class with 600m left. But under a gentle nudge from Pike, the lightly raced five-year-old picked up the loose rope and travelled appealingly into the home turn. Nearing the 200m when Asphalt weakened, a gap appeared for Almighty Class to ease away from the fence and with Pike starting to stoke away, he quickly raced to Sky Duke and poked his head in front. WA’s champion jockey had no need for the whip as the attractive son of Playing Gold stormed clear and drew away for a decisive length-and-a-half win over Sky Duke, who battled courageously to be a further length-and-a-quarter ahead of London’s Image ($4.60). Almighty Class began his career in sparkling fashion under Mitch Pateman before heading to Albany trainer Paul Hunter early last year. Unsighted since April 2025, he was turned out for the first time by new conditioner Trevor Andrews in a recent trial and recaptured his best form in Saturday’s fresh assignment. “He’s been pretty well cared for by his previous trainers,” Andrews said. “He’s got a super big motor on him. He’s obviously a well-performed horse. “Horses that go fast have issues and you’ve just got to manage them. They’re not major issues, but good horses seem to have them. “As long as he holds together alright, he’s got a good future. “I thought he’d make good improvement after today’s run; I didn’t think I had him that wound up. “But he was certainly a benefit from drawing barrier one and having a lovely run.” The loping galloper has not contested an event longer than 1200m in distance, though that is imminent to change according to Andrews. “He needs putting in cotton wool because he’s a really big horse and those sort of horses, on firmer tracks, they feel the ground a bit,” he said. “Going forward he’ll go to the Pinjarra Classic (1300m), Bunbury Stakes (1400). Got a nice programme in front of him. “(He) really maps with his data like he should be getting a mile. Hopefully, we can get him to there this time around. “(I need to) just look after him and don’t overwork him. The wife, Joanne, does all the work on him, so thanks, Jo. “She won’t let anyone near him. She let Willie (Pike) have a gallop on him the other day and that’s about the best she’s done.” The triumph was the second of a treble for Pike, who bagged the final three races on board Fancy Red ($2.05f) and Soldanelle ($4.40). “Mid-race, when the leader got us off the bridle, it was pretty snug in there on the fence,” the hoop said. “That’s where he actually won the race. When he got back through there and got back on the bridle, he was the winner a long way from home after that. “I don’t know what journey they’ve been on with this horse, I’m just lucky that I’ve chimed in late. “He’s clearly a nice horse. He’s a lovely, big, strong horse, very proud looking, and he’s got some ability there.