VOBIS Gold poster-boy Trust In A Gust proved he’s a genuine Group 1 horse in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Sunday.

The Darren Weir trained galloper was headed in straight but fought back to defeat Dissident who was gunning for a Group 1 treble following victories in the Makybe Diva Stakes and Memsie Stakes.

Trust In A Gust (4h Keep The Faith – Subtle Breeze by Storm Cat) dominated the VOBIS Gold calendar last season collecting over $500,000 in prizemoney and bonuses for his connections.  They banked another $242,000 at Caulfield and the Group 1 makes him a valuable stallion prospect.

Greta West studmaster Laurie McCarthy and Swettenham Stud owner Adam Sangster were also celebrating the ground-breaking victory on Sunday.

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is the first Group 1 for Greta West Stud stallion Keep The Faith who stands for a $4,400 (inc gst) fee at the McCarthy family’s nursery in north-east Victoria.

Sangster bred and sold Trust In A Gust for $45,000 at the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale.  He transferred Keep The Faith to make way for Equiano, Master of Design and Americain on the Swettenham roster but still supports the son of breed-shaper Sunday Silence.

Trust In A Gust also gave Weir his first Group 1 in Victoria.  “He’s a great racehorse and has been a great advertisement for our stable and VOBIS Gold.  He tries hard, loves working and has a good bunch of owners.”

His dam Subtle Breeze has a 2yo Equiano colt with Adelaide trainer Lloyd Kennewell and a yearling colt by Master Of Design that Sangster has nominated for the 2015 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.