Hattori Hanzo wins Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes

The decision to geld Hattori Hanzo has proved a masterstroke with the Victorian three-year-old continuing his rise through the ranks with a Group Two win at Rosehill.

Since undergoing the operation, the Mick Kent-trained Hattori Hanzo has had four start,s beginning with a third place before stringing three wins together.

Kent's strategy to choose Saturday's Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) was based on the lack of suitable races over middle distances at home.

"There's a lack of mile races at the moment for the three-year-olds and I've won this race before," Kent said.

"He's a nice horse so we gave him his chance."

Noel Callow took the chance on Hattori Hanzo ($14) and put him in a more forward positions from barrier six of eight.

Hattori Hanzo and Man Of Choice ($13) fought out a close finish with the margin between the pair a nose.

Callow admitted 56.5kg was at the bottom of his weight range.

"It pulls me up a bit," he said. "But it was worth it.

"First time around this way when I hit him he shifted pretty hard to the left.

"I switched the whip but it let the second horse get up there. I was rapt he got the bob."

Man Of Choice's trainer Luke Price was left wondering what might have been.

"I thought for a moment we had a Group Two win," he said.

"But it was a great run and he's shown he can back up."

The two are likely to clash again in the Tulloch Stakes (2000m) in two weeks.