Vatican proved too quick for his rivals in the Listed P F D Food Services Doveton Stakes, at Caulfield.

He made a one act affair of the race, leading from barrier to box winning comfortably, never in danger at any stage of the 1000 metres trip.

The win was a pick up ride for Michael Rodd replacing Billy Egan, the gelding’s usual rider, who was indisposed after a fall at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

It was bad luck for Egan; he has been working well doing all the hard yards with Vatican, who didn’t win a race out of his turn.

The five year old gelding is prepared by Byron Cozamanis, he has generally had a good horse in the stable, he won 10 races with Grand Duels, a good handy sprinter, and now Vatican is out to equal that, he has won eight times.

Vatican has proved an easy horse to train, he is as sound as a bell, explosive from the starting gate and is best suited racing on a turning tracks such as Caulfield and Moonee Valley; he has rarely raced at Flemington, certainly not of late.

He is by God’s Own who is having success as a sire at present, he is really on the crest of a wave.

Vatican winning easily at Caulfield