A well-judged front running ride from Patrick Moloney saw Vengeur Masque lead all of the way to win the Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington today.
Vengeur Masque, above, scores an all the way win in the 2017 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Moloney had no hesitation in taking the Mike Moroney trained Vasque Masque ($6.50) straight to the front and set the tempo from the turn out of the straight in 2600m staying contest.
Runner up Grey Lion sat behind the winner in the run and looked like he had his measure when he challenged in the straight, but Vengeur Masque proved too strong over the staying trip and forged away over the concluding to score a decisive win.
Wheal Leisure ($9.50) raced in the first four and stuck to his guns in the straight to find third spot.
The well supported race favourite Qewy sat at the winner’s girth throughout the race but when asked for an effort in the straight had nothing to give and starting to fade from the 300m mark.
Moroney said that he had planned with Patrick Moloney to send the horse to the front and the pre-race plans paid dividends.
“We had planned to lead and make the play to go his way and the more I thought about it during the week the more I thought we should do that,” Moroney said.
Moroney said that the connections were disappointed that Vengeur Masque miss out on making the field for the Group 1 $6.25m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington but is hoping he can gain a start next year, but they did pick up a $100,000 Bonus for winning today.
“It was disappointing for us that he didn’t make the the final field for . I would have liked to run him this year, I thought he would have really run well, but we just missed out,” Moroney said.
“I think next year he is going to get better again.”
“We have tried twice and missed out and hope to make it third time lucky.”