3 minute read
There were many wonderful things happening this weekend apart from that superb performance of the beautiful one in the Cox Plate - a privilege for all.
Brave Smash was ridden by Hugh Bowman who rode the big race double!
On Saturday the Mile saw Cliff's Edge (by Canford Cliffs who was a top miler in Europe) who is now with Weir, prove the form by winning. Also in the race Sir John Lavery who had a 12 months break when relocating from Ireland to Mt Macedon and just the one run here before this. He's a Galleo so may have needed this - he finished 7th.
The Gold Cup - Libran has been in Aus since 2015 with Chris Waller - ran 3rd. He's by Lawman out of True Crystal. The Taj Mahal (now with Liam Howley) finished 9th and slightly lame in the off fore. Prize Money for Godolphin - Saeed bin Suroor was 10th. 11th was Red Cardinal originally with Andreas Wöhler in Germany and transferred to Weir in August but he'd had bone chip surgery and does not seem to be the same after that - it may be a more complex problem. Tosen Basil, Japanese bred by Harbinger, was second in the Underwood but not on song here finishing 12th.
In the Cox Plate itself Benbatl was seen as the big threat and he ran really well, but as his trainer Saeed bin Suroor said after he was up against a champion. Rostroprovich for Aidan O'Brien ran very well too going to the front and being up there for much of the race. He's only a NH 3yo so there is every chance he could come back for another try next year.
It was a great weekend of racing with the Moonee Valley people having done excellent work in ensuring that the memorable day truly was. Those of us who were privileged to be a part of it will look back with very happy memories in the years to come of this historic day.
