Japan raider sinks Shark
A stunning year for Damian Lane has continued with the Australian jockey adding his first Cox Plate on star Japanese mare Lys Gracieux.
Having already won the rich Golden Slipper on Australian filly Kiamichi in March, and last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup on Japanese horse Mer De Glace, Lane added the next jewel of Australian racing yesterday, with Lys Gracieux in the $NZ5.5 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
Kiwi star Te Akau Shark came from last at the 600m for jockey Opie Bosson, charging up the inside to finish third.
‘‘He ran a blinder,’’ said Kiwi hoop Bosson. ‘‘He got back from the [outside] draw but he made ground good late. I had to stay inside, I couldn’t get out but full credit to him, it was a good run.’’
Widely tipped to prove superior at The Valley in the weight-for-age race, the Yoshita Yohagi-trained Lys Gracieux started $3 favourite and came from back in the field to overhaul three-year-old Castelvecchio in the straight. Lys Gracieux beat Castelvecchio ($8.50) by a widening 11⁄2-lengths with Te Akau Shark ($16) another two lengths away.
‘‘She’s a genuine superstar,’’ Lane said of the first Japanesetrained winner of the Cox Plate.
‘‘The weight of expectation during the week was getting a bit much and it was just great for her to come through and prove what she can do.
‘‘The speed was solid going to the first corner. I didn’t want to get into a battle that would empty her. I took my medicine and rode her cold and she just let go with a great turn of foot.
‘‘I’ve said a few times this week she’s one of the best, if not the best horse I’ve sat on, and I’ve ridden some good ones here over the last few years.
‘‘So I was confident she was the right horse.’’
Lane won the Group One Takarazuka Kinen on Lys Gracieux during his successful two-month stint in Japan earlier this year, and that trip has led to his wins in the Caulfield Cup and
Cox Plate. He has the ride on Mer De Glace in the Melbourne Cup, bidding to become the first jockey to win Melbourne’s three biggest spring races in the same year.
‘‘It’s been a massive year and the opportunities have just been amazing,’’ Lane said.
Along with the $3 million first prize money, Lys Gracieux also claimed a $2m bonus for winning the Takarazuka Kinen as part of a Cox Plate bonus.
Young Sydney trainer Richard Litt was proud of Castelvecchio.