English import Shraaoh realised his staying credentials with a tough win in the 2019 Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick today.
Shraaoh, above in blue, black and white colours, wins the 2019 Sydney Cup at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The won by Shraaoh gave trainer Chris Waller his third Group 1 win on Day Two of The Championships and his 101 overall Group 1 winning trophy.
Champion mare Winx provided Waller with his 100th Group 1 win in the previous race as she sent out her farewell message with another emphatic win in the $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) while Verry Elleegant was the winner of the Group 1 $1m Heineken 3 Australian Oaks (2400m) earlier in the day.
“It has been a memorable day. I think there is a good chance I won’t forget this day,” Waller said.
“He was identified from England by the people behind the horse and I thank them very much. They’ve entrusted me to set him for it. He won first up over 2800m. That gave us the confidence to know he was capable of winning a race like this. You hope they come up. The team in the Northern Hemisphere said he was twice the horse on a dry track and he proved that today.”
Lightweight jockey Jay Ford gave Shraaoh ($12) a beautiful run in amongst the capacity twenty horse Sydney Cup field from barrier three and he stuck to the inside in the straight to record a half a lengths win over the Mike Moroney trained Vengeur Masque ($31) who was ridden by Damien Oliver.
Glory Days ($17) with Corey Brown in the saddle made a strong run at the finish to claim third prize.
The Charlie Appleby trained English stayer Dubhe was sent out as the $4.40 favourite but after settling in the second half of the field was never a winning chance.
Dubhe was under pressure a long from home with Kerrin McEvoy pushing the four year old along at the 600m and he faded in the straight to finish seven and a half lengths behind the winner in twelfth position.
“He was sluggish out of the gates. He never travelled at all. I was forever trying to get him onto the bridle and he stayed on okay home but not quick enough through the first part,” McEvoy said.
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