A protest between first and second for interference was dismissed on Saturday as stewards declared Deprive the winner of this year’s Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m).

In what turned out to be one of the most thrilling finishes of Everest Day, the Godolphin five-year-old extended his undefeated streak to 6/6 at Randwick thanks to a sharp turn of foot and a very fortunate head bob.

With all eyes on Home of the Brave and Brutal, who picked up off the bridle at the 200m mark, Deprive flashed home from the widest part of the track to hit the line strongly and win by a long head.

It wasn’t the first time we’ve seen Deprive storm from the outside at Randwick as trainer James Cummings waited with bated breath on the steward’s decision. After the race, the champion trainer said he always knew his horse was primed for a big win after showing signs of improvement.

“It was two quality horses and Home of the Brave has had a habit of being able to hold on up on a strong tempo. But this horse has been going really well, he was a galloper for our Everest runner Alizee last week and he’s undefeated at Randwick and now he’s still undefeated at Randwick,” Cummings said.

Home of the Brave went forward early in the race and picked up the outright lead at the final turn. Fortunately, Cummings had the class of Hugh Bowman to rely on as the champion hoop picked just the right moment to push the button on the winning gelding.

“He actually threw his head to the side; I didn’t come out on terms. I was going to settle a bit back anyway had that not have happened but let’s hope we have a little bit of Deja Vu in about 50 minutes,” Bowman said in relation to The Everest.

The plan ahead for Deprive remains up in the air. Brutal went on to run third while Home Of The Brave lost no admirers running fourth.