Saturday Summary: Cosmic Crusader shines brightest in historic Flemington Cox Plate

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Cosmic Crusader charges home to conquer the Cox Plate

The Andrea Leek-trained Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice {Jpn}) began his spring campaign with a bang, winning the G3 Bletchingly Stakes back in July, and he may have ended it in equally emphatic fashion with a brilliant seventh-up victory in this year's G1 Cox Plate, uniquely staged at Flemington.

It was an outstanding performance from the Bob Peters-owned gelding, who benefited from a cool ride by William Pike as he backed up from a brave fourth in the G1 Caulfield Cup last weekend.

As anticipated, there was plenty of early action. Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Blind Raise (NZ) (Ace High) initially led, before the Maher-trained duo of Land Legend (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) and Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) began working forward from their wide barriers, travelling out wide on the track.

The pair eventually took up the running and set a strong tempo, with the pace likely to favour those coming from off the speed upon straightening. Warwoven (Sword Of State) appeared to be travelling well but was blocked for a run along the inside, while the classy mare Aeliana (Castelvecchio) loomed as a contender out wide alongside Birdman (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}).

However, it was Cosmic Crusader who finished strongest under Pike, surging clear to score by three-quarters of a length from the brave Birdman, with Aeliana a head away in third after another courageous effort.

Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) also produced a notable performance to finish fourth, backing up from a brave second behind Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) in the G1 King Charles III Stakes in Sydney last weekend.

But all honours belonged to Cosmic Crusader, who had danced every dance this spring and proved the bravest and best when it mattered most in the big one.

Winning trainer Andrea Leek was understandably ecstatic after the result, describing the horse in glowing terms.

“A miracle. He’s just an iron horse. What a champion. What a ride by Willie Pike. Thanks to the Peters’ for giving him to me and trusting in me. I said before that I feel like I’m an imposter. To step in and have a horse like this in the early stages of my career, I’m very lucky. I couldn’t be happier.

“He’s an amazing horse. I said to Bob this morning that I think I had him a little bit flat for the Caulfield Cup and may have done too much on the Tuesday. He was better going into today. I knew going into today I had him cherry ripe. I was praying for rain but we didn’t get it. He was still too good.”

Asked whether she had identified the Cox Plate as a potential target as far back as his Bletchingly Stakes victory, Leek said the belief had been there from the outset.

“I did. He wasn’t over the distance that he needed to be at that stage. What he was doing then was extraordinary. He’s just an iron horse and he has just got better and better and better.”

Pike's first reaction when interviewed was to celebrate the moment.

“Cosmic Crusader, woohoo! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”

The jockey admitted that winning a major race of this magnitude was something he rarely allowed himself to dream about.

“I don’t ever dream of winning these races, because it’s always too far to reach, so to get here today…I left last week a little disappointed, but he’s backed up and he’s turned up.”

Reflecting on the winning ride, Pike said he had been more composed throughout the first half of the race and was confident when Cosmic Crusader came into contention.

“He’s come off their backs and I knew I was a chance. I rode better, I was calmer through the first half to the top of the straight and he was strong through the line. Thanks very much to the whole team. Look how many runs he’s had, he’s just so good.”

“It’s amazing, it’s infectious. (There’s a) big crowd, an iconic day - most likely the only ever Cox Plate to be run here - so it’s nice that we get to etch our name in there.”

Sales info: Cosmic Crusader is a homebred for Bob Peters of Peters Investments.

Pedigree info: Cosmic Crusader is the first foal of G3 La Trice Classic winner Cosmic Storm (Street Sense {USA}) whose seven wins also included three at Listed level in Perth.

Cosmic Storm is one of four stakes winners for the dual Group 3 winner Stormy Nova (Metal Storm {Fr}), with the best of them being G1 Cantala Stakes winner Superstorm (Sebring) who earned over $3 million. Superstorm’s full sister Mikimoto is a Listed winner as is Cosmic Storm’s full brother Royal Command (Street Sense {USA}).

In recent times Cosmic Storm has left a 3-year-old Maurice (Jpn) colt named Cosmic Icon who is unraced and she foaled a Maurice filly in late August.

Maher trifecta in the Cup as Juja Kibo secures Melbourne Cup ticket

The Ciaron Maher stable dominated the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup, with the champion trainer claiming the trifecta as Juja Kibo (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) took the honours under jockey Sam Clipperton.

The victory earned Juja Kibo a golden ticket into the G1 Melbourne Cup, with the last-start G2 Metropolitan Handicap winner showcasing both his stamina and class to sprint sharply from the back of the field.

After an early contest for the lead, the race developed into a tactical affair, with the tempo easing considerably through the middle stages before the field straightened for home.

There were several early lead changes, but Aethelwulf (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) eventually settled in front, with Torranzino (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) and Kizlyar (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) among those positioned handy.

The pace slowed markedly through the middle stages, potentially favouring those near the lead, but the race changed complexion soon after straightening as the challengers began to make their moves from behind.

Juja Kibo charged home fastest of all and held off stablemate Kings Valley (Ire) (Territories {Ire}) by half a length. Kings Valley was brilliant from well back in the field given the race shape, while Mr Monaco (GB) (Territories {Ire}) was brave after covering ground throughout under apprentice Jabez Johnstone.

All three runners in the Maher trifecta produced strong G1 Melbourne Cup trials, while the stable's other runner, Jennivamoose (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}), also put in a big effort to finish fifth at long odds.

Maher explained that Clipperton had made a strong impression since returning from his break from riding and had been keen to secure the ride.

“Sam, since he’s come back from his break, he’s done a lot of work for the stable and he asked if he could ride him. He said he would make the weight and he had been galloping him and knew how good he was going. He won the race and asked if he could come down here.” Maher said.

“I spoke to the owners, he had a night out with them up there I think, and that sealed the deal. They were all on board, and since his last run, Sam rode him, and said he’s improved again. He was fantastic."

Maher was also pleased with the efforts of the other runners in his team, particularly Kings Valley, who had been unlucky in the Caulfield Cup.

“Kings Valley was back there as well and I thought he was no chance. He was a bit unlucky in a Caulfield Cup not to be fighting out the finish, so he’s running into form and Jabez (Johnstone) and Mr Monaco, that was a nice tickover for next Tuesday.”

Clipperton was delighted with the performance and praised the work of the stable behind the Melbourne Cup-bound stayer.

“He’s absolutely airborne. I’m so proud to be a part of this horse’s preparation. Thank you to Ciaron Maher and his whole team in Sydney and Victoria. Winning jockey Clipperton said.

The winning rider also acknowledged the owners and the collective effort that had helped bring Juja Kibo to the fore.

“The great owners (as well) for having me on. Big team effort by them all. I’m just the one that is lucky enough to steer him around and stand and cheer. He’s an absolute gentleman and he took a fair bit of pulling up. He’s got his spot in the Melbourne Cup and I think he’s going to relish the two-mile. I am privileged to be riding a big winner at The Valley meeting at Flemington.”

Sales info: Juja Kibo was originally purchased by Jason Kelly Bloodstock for €9500 at the 2021 Goffs Ireland November Foal Sale.

Pedigree info: Juja Kibo is out of the 2-year-old winner Na Zdorovie (GB) (Cockney Rebel {Ire}), a full-sister to the Group 2-placed Groovejet (GB) (Cockney Rebel {Ire}) and a three-quarter-sister to the three-time Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Slim Shadey (GB) (Val Royal {Fr}).

Lazzura proves the class act in The Invitation

There was little doubt beforehand that the Chris Waller-trained Lazzura (Snitzel) was the class mare of the field, and she duly delivered, collecting the $2 million G2 The Invitation in narrow but authoritative fashion under Tommy Berry.

The victory also capped a memorable day for B2B Thoroughbreds, who completed a stakes double after their homebred Revolina (Russian Revolution) scored at Listed level in the Brian Crowley Stakes earlier on the card, also under Berry.

The Bjorn Baker-trained speedster Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) jumped brilliantly and led the field, while Berry worked Lazzura across from her wide gate to settle outside the leader.

Just behind the Group 1 winner, Idle Flyer (Dundeel {NZ}) was caught three-wide behind the pace, on the outside of Gerringong (Blue Point {Ire}).

On straightening, Regan Bayliss kicked strongly aboard Perfumist, but Berry had Lazzura in his sights. She loomed at the 300-metre mark, took over and fought off all challengers to score by half a length from the in-foal Infancy (Wandjina), who charged late, with Verona Rose (Castelvecchio) also running on strongly for third.

Asked about Lazzura's class, stable representative Darren Beadman pointed to her Group 1 credentials and recent form, while explaining the decision to press forward from the wide draw.

“She’s the winner of the Coolmore, Group One. Her win the other day in the Golden Pendant, she’s just class. She had to burn the candle at both ends. It was, do we go forward, or do we go back?.

"But the way she jumped, Tommy (Berry) made an executive decision and said, ‘Bang. She’s the best horse in the race. She ran ten-and-a-half (seconds) there one furlong, she really cut out some slick sectionals in the early stages, but once she got there, she gave herself a chance and switched off and she runs out a strong 1400.”

Berry admitted he had been uncertain about how best to ride the classy mare, but was pleased his decision to go forward had paid off.

“I still had no idea what I was going to do going to the gates. I’ll ride her how she jumps and she pinged the lids. At the end of the day it’s not the way to ride her but she’s the best horse in the race. Good horses overcome adversity and that is what she did today. Full credit to the team.”

The jockey also revealed that the race had been on the radar for some time, with owner Ricky keen to secure his services well in advance.

“This race has been a race they looked at for a long time. Ricky the owner was trying to book me five weeks out. He was obviously very keen on her. A good effort.”

Sales info: Lazzura was purchased by B2B Thoroughbreds for $500,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: Lazzura is out of the Japanese-bred Laguna Azzurra (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who was a winner over 1800 metres in Japan. She has left three foals to race and all have been winners, and aside from producing Lazzura, she has left the smart juvenile Portorosa (Not A Single Doubt) who has also been placed at Listed level.

Laguna Azzurra, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old filly by Snitzel named Tavolara, a yearling colt by Farnan and foaled a Switzerland colt earlier this month.

Lindermann does it again with another Craven Plate masterclass

The tough, classy and durable Lindermann (Lonhro) proved too strong for his opposition in the G2 Craven Plate, securing his third consecutive win in the Group 3 race over 2000 metres at Randwick.

It was another polished ride by Nash Rawiller, who dictated proceedings aboard the Lonhro 7-year-old and led throughout before easing to a comfortable victory by just under a length.

The game Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) finished second after making a sustained run from the back of the field, with Kerrin McEvoy bringing him into contention just before straightening. He battled on well, while Eliyass (Fr) (Le Havre {Fr}) held third after settling just behind Lindermann throughout.

All honours went to Lindermann, who once again proved too tough, taking his career earnings to just over $6.1 million for his connections, Woppitt Bloodstock.

Stable representative Darren Beadman was full of admiration for the veteran, praising his consistency and the contribution of his owners.

“He’s an absolute ripper. He just goes about his business, he’s tradesman-style. He’s won over $6 million in prizemoney. Congratulations to (owners) Debbie and Paul (Kepitis), the family, the girls.”

Beadman also praised Rawiller's handling of the race and the gelding's attitude, highlighting the work of his strapper and the care he receives at home.

“He gives his all, he’s one-hundred and ten percent. Lovely-rated ride by Nash. He put him to the sword early until he got over the crossing and got it all worked out, bowled along at some nice sectionals."

Rawiller was equally impressed with the horse's condition and performance, giving credit to the stable for having him in even better order than at his previous start.

“He was unreal wasn’t he. Credit to the team. I think they had him fitter again than last time. But at the same time, he bounced back and was real zesty before the race.”

The jockey said Lindermann's sharp beginning and willingness to roll forward had allowed him to control the race, before producing another strong turn of foot in the straight.

“He showed that leading the gates. He left like an Oakleigh Plater and had them crossed easily. To some degree at the half mile, if he feels them pop out to have a shot at him, he grabs the bridle and wants to go. It’s ‘Woah big boy - a long way to be going from here.’ He went another furlong there in a nice comfort zone and really quickened terrifically like he has been doing.”

Sales info: Lindermann was bred and is raced by Woppitt Bloodstock.

Pedigree info: Lindermann is one of four winners from the dual winner and Listed-placed Self Esteem (Stratum), who was fourth in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes. Lindermann’s family includes the G3 Red Roses Stakes winner Aitch Two Oh (Headwater) and the top class Group 1 winners Assertive Lad (Zeditave), Assertive Lass (Zeditave) and Reset.

Woppitt Bloodstock have retained all of Lindermann’s siblings, including the 3-year-old Iommi (Written By) who has been placed twice, a 2-year-old filly named Caillat (Pierro) and she foaled a St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) filly in August.