Racing on a heavy 10, the Emma Steel-trained six-year-old did a power of work but still finished to strong for the compact field in the Mark Anthonys Clothing Co Benchmark 60 Handicap (2500m).

Defeating Tallage by 4½ lengths, Speed ‘N’ Reef now has a perfect three from three on the heavy going.

After claiming back to back wins on heavy tracks in July, the son of Speed ‘N’ Power was unplaced in his next three starts before easing back into the winners list.

Steel thought the return to the heavy was the key.

“He loves the wet and is just a deadset wet tracker,” Steel said.

“He really is a one batter and to show his best he needs at wet track.”

The win was his sixth from 25 starts and the Berrigan trainer thought racing with ear muffs have really helped him settle.