Last season’s G1 Caulfield Cup runner-up was also second in the G2 Feehan S. along the way 12 months’ ago and the 6-year-old went one better in the latter event on Saturday to open his spring campaign in perfect style.
Under a heady ride from Ben Melham, Homesman was ridden aggressively from a wide gate to sit on the speed and he proved far too strong in the straight for Mahamedeis (Magnus) and Best Of Days (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}).
“He was terrific and there's nothing in racing that would mean more to us than to get our hands on a Cox Plate," Nick Williams said.
"We've tried many times and come up short, but he seems to be heading in the right way."
"We've tried many times and come up short, but he seems to be heading in the right way." – Nick Williams.
Homesman is a proven Group 1 winner and he will be given every opportunity to add to his tally at the highest level.
"He won the Underwood last year on route to the Caulfield Cup and we ran him in the Caulfield Cup because he was very well in at the weights," Williams said.
Homesman travelled home strongly to win his spot in the G1 Cox Plate
"Since we've had him in this time, the Cox Plate has been his aim, and will be his aim.
"We'll look to go on to the Underwood and defend it and then onto Caulfield S. and then back to The Valley for the Cox Plate.
"We've got to win one here before they change this iconic track. It’s one of the greatest places you could ever watch racing. It’s like Happy Valley, you’re right on top of it and it’s magnificent.
Nick Williams
“Ben gave him a 10 out of 10 ride and obviously with the sticky draw we were concerned where we would end up so we left it to him. All credit to him and all credit to the team at Macedon who do a good job with the horses.”
“All credit to him and all credit to the team at Macedon who do a good job with the horses.” – Nick Williams.
Williams said Homesman’s tractability was one of his greatest assets.
“He takes a lot of bad luck out of it. You can ride him quietly or you can ride him forward and he’s very tough.”
Melham said once Homesman had got into his rhythm he was confident of victory a long way from home.
Ben Melham said he was confident of a victory a long way from home
“He was the class horse of the field and he only just got beaten in the Caulfield Cup,” Melham said. “He’s come back in great order and he just towed me around the whole way.”
A half-brother to the Listed winner and G1 July Cup runner-up U.S. Ranger (USA) (Danzig {USA}), Homesman is out of My Annette (USA) (Red Ransom {USA}), who is a half-sister to the multiple Group 2 winner and successful sire Dynaformer (USA).
Their dam is the G1 Aqueduct Top Flight H. winner Andover Way (USA) (His Majesty {USA}) and the family of the G1 Belmont Suburban H. winner and sire Offlee Wild (USA).
