An emotional Mark Kavanagh went a long way to exorcising the demons of last year's Caulfield Cup when Whobegotyou gave his rivals a galloping lesson in the Group One Caulfield Guineas on Saturday.
In front of 24,407 racegoers, the biggest crowd since 1983, the $3 favourite won by an emphatic three and a quarter lengths from the Lee Freedman-trained colt Time Thief, with Von Costa De Hero another length and a quarter away in third.
It was a victory which had some labelling at least the equal of superstar Weekend Hussler's win in last year's event.
"That was awesome," said Kavanagh.
The trainer was left on the verge of tears when asked whether Whobegotyou's victory made up for last year's Caulfield Cup when race favourite Maldivian was scratched minutes before the jump after cutting himself in the barriers.
"Nothing will," Kavanagh said, his voice trembling.
Jockey Michael Rodd was also aboard Maldivian in last year's Caulfield Cup.
After settling 13th with only three behind him, Whobegotyou was asked by Rodd to make a long run wide without cover around the turn from the 600m mark.
The gelding, however, was travelling smoothly and made up ground effortlessly but so too was Time Thief, who was on his immediate inside and racing with cover.
While Time Thief led approaching the final 200m it was clear Whobegotyou had more left in the tank. He burst clear at the 100m mark and from there it was a one-way procession.
"He just cruised around them and to win the way that he did is certainly pretty exciting," said Kavanagh.
"He's done everything right in this preparation. We haven't had one setback. He just keeps improving. It's starting to get exciting now."
Rodd was left in awe by Whobegotyou's effort.
"He covered the ground so easy, it was all over pretty much at the 600," he said. "He's awesome."
Dwayne Dunn was rapt with Time Thief's performance to run second.
"He handled himself very well for a horse that's had a few starts," Dunn said. "He feels like a real professional."
"The winner was too good today but maybe not in the future."
Kerrin McEvoy, who tracked the winner into the race, could not fault Von Costa De Hero's run.
Duporth was the best of the Sydney runners, finish fourth nearly seven lengths behind the placegetters.
Nash Rawiller said fellow Sydneysider Dreamscape ($9.50) raced like a tired horse to finish seventh.
"I think he's had enough," he said. "Put him out now and that will be the making of him."