There was no panic from Josh Parr when Cluster missed the start, but the Epsom-bound rising four-year-old got the job done at Rosehill on Saturday and crucially, continued to lift his rating.
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Cluster raced in the best company last spring, beaten in a blanket finish by Divine Calling and Shamus Award in the Stutt Stakes. Since joining the Peter and Paul Snowden camp he is unbeaten in the lower grades and is now ready to step up.
It was not the smoothest of rides at Rosehill but Cluster showed his class after he missed the jump. Parr decided to go back rather than risk being posted three wide and, although he gave up six lengths to the leaders on the turn, he sizzled down the centre to beat Rock Sturdy, which had hugged the rail, by a neck. Mount Nebo was 1.25 lengths away in third.
"I was happy to go back and I was never really concerned because he is so exciting," Parr said. "Coming to the turn I was a fair bit off them but he found the first couple of lengths without me having to go for him.
"He still had a kick and then on the line was getting a bit tired, so he is going to improve on that again."
Peter Snowden confirmed the plan was not to be second last but was pleased to see Cluster get another win after his first-up Kembla romp.
"We still need to get his rating up to get into those better races," Snowden said. "I think that should get him to around the 82 mark so he is getting there. It is something we are aware of.
"I'm mindful not to have too many runs before the good races come around, I want to have him peaking about October. I think the Epsom is the right race for him ...
"We have brought him along slowly because he had a long time off because of injury. He has passed the test of his fitness, it is now about stepping him up."
Cluster will head to the Show County Quality over 1200 metres at Randwick on August 23, and the Tramway Stakes in early September likely to be his way into the Epsom in early October. It could be a race in which he again meets runner-up Rock Sturdy.
"I was very happy with that," Rock Sturdy's trainer, Joe Pride, said. "He was first-up and I think given a bit of weight turnaround I can beat the winner next time.
"He is the sort of horse that is going to improve and will be better as he steps up in trip. That was very encouraging."
Told Cluster would run in the Show County in a month, Pride was convinced he would have his measure.
"Terravista is going there and they won't be beating him," Pride said.
