Tekapunt takes Sir Howard Stakes

TEKAPUNT scored a stunning 10-1 upset in yesterday's six-furlong Sir Howard Stakes for colts and geldings, throwing a spanner in the first 2000 Guineas prep race, which left 1-5 favourite PERFECT BREW struggling home in fifth place.

Partnered by journeyman Philip Parchment, who similarly piloted the Northern Giant-Just A Flutter colt to a 13-1 shocker last October as a two-year-old, TEKAPUNT went third three and a half furlongs out before making his bid at leaders PHOENIX RISEN and 87-1 outsider, SHADOWFAX, three-wide off the home turn.

However, SHADOWFAX wasn't about to quit, rallying with Reyan Lewis, though headed off by TEKAPUNT a furlong out. Parchment, a no-nonsense rider, who recently earned the wrath of the stewards for excessive use of the whip, dug deep to get TEKAPUNT home by three-quarter length in a moderate 1:14.3.

POWER closed for third at odds of 7-2 with Linton Steadman. BLUE VINYL finished fourth with leading rider Dane Dawkins.

PERFECT BREW's disappointing run marked as a second day of defeat for colts returning as three-year-olds after being beaten by the filly GOLDEN WATTLE in December's Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes.

On Saturday, BRINKS, who was third behind GOLDEN WATTLE and PERFECT BREW, similarly flopped at six and a half furlongs, finishing down the track behind United States-bred RUNAWAY ALGO.