Holler confirmed the promise he showed against his own age last year by defeating older horses in Saturday’s Group II Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
Holler raced on the outside of Sirbible in the lead to the 600m mark in a strongly run race where the younger horse began to assert his superiority.
Craig Williams drew the whip around the turn where Holler went clear, staying on strongly to defeat Churchill Dancer ($21) by one length with the trip completed in 1:10.96.
Williams said the John O’Shea-trained Holler travelled strongly all the way.
“The pace was solid early but Sirbible gave us a good cart across,” Williams said.
“The pressure came on at the 600m and when the inside horse dropped off we were left in front a little sooner than I had anticipated.
“To his credit he fought on well and it was a deserved win.”
Holler won the Group III Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day last year and is out of a half-sister to Yell, winner of the Australia Stakes in 2003. David Charles, Melbourne representative for Godolphin, said the son of Commands had improved.
“John (O’Shea) has always had a good opinion of him and he’s gone up a level today,” Charles said.
“It’s a good effort to beat older horses at weight-for-age.
“He’s made good progress from the spring to the autumn and he looks like he’s got exciting times ahead.
“John had this race in mind for him and the race panned out as we hoped it would, especially with the ride from Craig.”
Charles said O’Shea and Henry Plumptre would decide the next race for Holler with no immediate plan in mind.
Rebel Dane ($3.70) made up ground in the home straight to finish third, beaten one length just in front of Hucklebuck while Trust In A Gust finished well to dead-heat for fifth with It Is Written.
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