Assign has completed and impressive start-to-finish performance to take out the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield Racecourse this afternoon.

Assign lined up for the Herbert Power Stakes an outright $3.10 favourite in betting markets with online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au, and the import did his chances of success no harm when he jumped well and immediately took up the running; leading Dandy Gent and Big Memory past the post the first time.

Settling into a good rhythm over the back straight and receiving an easy run at the front of the pack, jockey Katelyn Mallyon urged the five-year-old to quicken the pace approaching the final bend; stringing out the field.

Immediately responding when asked for an extra effort, the Montjeu gelding pulled clear and sustained a strong enough sprint to beat a fast-finishing Big Memory and Pemberley.

Mallyon delivered a polished performance aboard Assign to win the 2016 Hebert Power Stakes, and was thrilled to deliver Macedon Lodge black type success.

“I’m so lucky to have Lloyd, Nick and Team Williams supporting me,” Mallyon said.

“I love riding these horse, they’re amazing animals and I just knew today after last start tjat this horse would run a strong 2400m.

“I didn’t want them to walk so I was happy to take it up, and gee he was strong late. He’s barely blowing a candle out now and he’s a very good horse.

“He certainly dug in from the half mile, got a bit of pressure but he was never going to be beaten.”

Prominent owner Nick Williams was thrilled with both Assign and Mallyon’s performances to win the Herbert Power Stakes, and revealed that a race like the Bendigo Cup (2400m) may figure as the season target, should he not make the Melbourne Cup field.

“It was a fantastic ride,” Williams said.

“She’s one of the few local jockeys that understands pace and rides these Europeans horses particularly well – you certainly lose nothing out having Katie on board.

“I think he won with plenty in hand, but I don’t think he’s a horse that wants to do more than he has to.

“He’s got 50kgs, so he won’t get into the Melbourne Cup at the moment. I would imagine after an impressive win like that, Greg Carpenter (Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper) will give him some sort of penalty.

“I’d say we’ll probably head towards the Bendigo Cup. He looks ideally suited to that race to me.

“That’s not to say he wouldn’t run at Flemington, because he could. He’s a tough horse and he could definitely back up.”

In taking out the 2016 Herbert Power Stakes, Assign has posted an impressive five wins and four minors through only fourteen career starts.

2016 Herbert Power Stakes Results

Finish	No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Margin	Bar.	Weight	Starting Price
1	4	ASSIGN (IRE)	Robert Hickmott	Ms Katelyn Mallyon	–	3	53kg	$3.10F
2	3	BIG MEMORY (FR)	Tony McEvoy	Craig Williams	0.1L	2	53kg	$5.50
3	5	PEMBERLEY (NZ)	Ciaron Maher	Daniel Stackhouse	0.4L	1	53kg	$6
4	1	PRINCE OF PENZANCE (NZ)	Darren Weir	John Allen	3.15L	4	60kg	$12
5	2	HOWARD BE THY NAME	Darren Weir	Damian Lane	7.65L	5	53.5kg	$3.60
6	6	DANDY GENT	Terry & Karina O’Sullivan	Ms Michelle Payne	8.4L	6	53kg	$12