Jump to User Comments All roads point to Santa Anita for Mastercraftsman after he won in the style expected of a 2-9 favorite, impressively cruising home under a hand ride from Johnny Murtagh.

As stablemate Augustusthestrong and Via Galilei vied for position at the head of affairs, Murtagh was content to sit at the front of the following pack - some 15 lengths off the pace - with Big Robert and Fiery Lad close up behind.

Favorite-backers may have felt slightly anxious when turning for home, with three and a half furlongs to run, there were still around 12 lengths to make up, but Murtagh was clearly just biding his time before asking Mastercraftsman for more.

When he did, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Group 1 winner obliged, pulling well clear of his rivals with only Fiery Lad (9-1) emerging from the pack to give chase - albeit in vain.

Five lengths was the official winning margin, though it could easily have been more. Augustusthestrong (25-1) was a further one and a half lengths back in third, with Man Of Iron (33-1) fourth.