Class prevailed in the Crystal Mile 2016 results on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley with the winner The United States returning to form and booking a run in the new-look Emirates Stakes during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Crystal Mile winner The United States could back-up in the Emirates Stakes 2016 on November 5 at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Robert Hickmott-trained, Team Williams-owned import was second-up in the $200,000 Group 2 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) facing a field of just five rivals after a spring setback.
The Group 1 winning Galileo stallion raced first-up at the Valley for a sixth to Awesome Rock in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m).
A subsequent illness saw him miss work and the team had to pull plans on running him against Winx in the $3 million Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m).
The always-honest seven-year-old scored a consolation win in the Crystal Mile and simply outclassed the field at weight-for-age to continue his nice record at Moonee Valley after rounding up his rivals and powering away late.
“It was just a bit sticky early, he’s not a great beginner so I let him get into his stride,” McEvoy said post-win.
“A big strong horse like this…they couldn’t match him.
“He probably would’ve been contesting the Cox Plate [if not for the setback].
“He’s got the Mackinnon [now the Emirates Stakes] to go now, but it was nice to win with him today.”
Co-owner Nick Williams confirmed plans to race at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday November 5 in the $2 million Group 1 Emirates Stakes (2000m) at weight-for-age in the old Mackinnon Stakes.
“He missed a lot of work…and the team had to reassess plans,” Williams said.
“He didn’t have much wrong with him.
“He’s a tough horse and he’s a great horse.
“Onwards to the Emirates Stakes on Final Day at Flemington now and hopefully he can put in a similar performance, he’s obviously going very well.
“I think he’s our best horse for sure, he’s a stallion by Galileo who’s the best stallion in the world.”
Posting his first win since Sydney’s Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill back in March, The United States had Kerrin McEvoy back in the saddle today.
Slow out of the gates, The United States went out the back and switched off letting the Darren Weir-trained roughie of the field Lidari to press forward and lead.
He showed the way from Federal in second, while Weir’s Sebring five-year-old and last start Flemington Black-Type winner Ulmann settled on the rails travelling nicely in third getting the good trail into the race.
McEvoy gave The United States a tremendous ride, working his way into it and making the perfect mid-race manoeuvre to move from five lengths off the leader to two lengths at the 700m mark.
He was ready to challenge on the outside of the well-fancied Lindsay Park-trained He Or She, coming off a third to Winx in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m), and around the home turn was striding freely.
The John O’Shea-trained Federal up the middle was trying to go with the favourite as The United States easily pulled clear and began his run to the line.
In the end The United States ($3.70) had a length to spare over Lidari ($26) who was brave in defeat after racing on pace in front throughout.
Ulmann finished off the Crystal Mile trifecta in third up the middle a neck further back from the runner-up.
To back The United States to complete the Crystal Mile – Emirates Stakes double at the right price head to Ladbrokes.com.au now.
2016 Crystal Mile Results & Finishing Order
Moonee Valley Race 7 – 22/10/2016
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | THE UNITED STATES (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Kerrin McEvoy | – | 2 | 59kg | $3.60F |
| 2 | 4 | LIDARI (FR) | Darren Weir | John Allen | 1L | 5 | 59kg | $26 |
| 3 | 8 | ULMANN | Darren Weir | Damian Lane | 1.3L | 1 | 59kg | $8.50 |
| 4 | 7 | FEDERAL | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 3.55L | 4 | 59kg | $4.40 |
| 5 | 3 | HE OR SHE | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Dwayne Dunn | 3.85L | 6 | 59kg | $4.60 |
| 6 | 5 | ROYAL RAPTURE | Darren Weir | Brad Rawiller | 6.1L | 3 | 59kg | $4.40 |
| – | 9 | OBSERVATIONAL (GB) | John Sadler | Ben Melham | – | 0 | – | – |
| – | 2 | STRATUM STAR | Darren Weir | Mark Zahra | – | 0 | – | – |
| – | 6 | TASHBEEH | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Michael Walker | – | 0 | – | – |
