Navajo Peak took the step to G2 company in his stride and provided Territories with another Black-Type winner on Saturday, 2 September when he captured the G2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1,600m at Royal Randwick.
Having his second run back from a spell, jockey Chad Schofield steered the five-year-old into third place behind the tearaway leaders Lindermann and Knight’s Order to the home turn before surging to the front at the 300m pole.
Navajo Peak then stayed on well to hold off Major Beel and Think It Over to record his sixth win, with seven placings, from 18 starts for trainer David Payne.
Territories is enjoying an excellent season, with his nine European Stakes performers including three Group-performing juveniles. His strength in depth is highlighted by having a series of high-class handicap winners including Rebel Territory, five-length winner of the Victoria Cup, and Rhoscolyn, a multiple scorer at Goodwood last month.
A blowout in the G2 Chelmsford!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2023
Navajo Peak scores at $50. 💰@SchofieldChad @DPayneRacing pic.twitter.com/MNtUBcAJq1
