A stirring, three way slog to the line saw Metal Bender take the G1 Doomben Cup (2020m) today.

Now in the Chris Waller stable, Metal Bender made a late lunge to take his third G1 race, adding to his dual Guineas triumph a year ago.

Metal Bender (seen here winning the Randwick Guineas) took the G1 Doomben Cup Metal Bender (seen here winning the Randwick Guineas) took the G1 Doomben Cup Photo by Racing and Sports

The race was set up with a mad pace established by the clearly fresh kiwi Sir Time Keeper. His stable mate Sir Slick and Gold Water were forced to chase a long way from home as the leader was seven in front by halfway.

Favorites Metal Bender and the stud bound Road to Rock had good runs but by the half mile, they were marked urgent to close the gaps.

Gai's mare Gold Water collared the 3yo on straightening and went for home but that hard pursuit had taken its toll as she was set upon by Waller's pair with Metal Bender to her outside and Triple Honour poking up the inside.

On a day when Waller pulled off a treble at Doomben and success in Sydney, his new recruit won by half a head with the same margin back to third.

The trainer was happy a plan had come off.

“He looked in trouble but the tempo took some speed out of him. I'm very fortunate to be training him.”

Regarding the trifecta of winners, “It's been a good day – a very good day.”

Kerrin McEvoy, for whom it was only decided that he would ride the winner on Wednesday, was grateful to recent rider Hugh Bowman for some salient advice.

“It was a real battle – I was only semi confident until the last 20m.”

“He wasn't travelling fantastic on the bend but Hugh told me that might be exactly the case.”