Cosmic Crusader and William Pike came wide and stormed home to win a historic Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), the first ever run at Flemington, beating Birdman by three-quarters of a length with Aeliana third. Here’s what the jockeys said.
It is always important to hear what the jockeys say after the race, as you can forgive a horse’s bad run or even find a winner next start, so head to the post-race comments below.
LAND LEGEND (Ethan Brown) – 12th
He stepped slow and he had far too much pressure to get across and ended up without too much petrol left.
LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (Harry Coffey) – 11th
He was disappointing. He never got a chance to be happy and dictate. He was always at his top to the end and he wasn’t comfortable and because of that he was disappointing.
BLIND RAISE (Jamie Melham) – 10th
Disappointing. He was travelling up enormous outside of Sir Delius and I gave him a squeeze and he responded and then he pulled up, like something went amiss. Hopefully the vet finds something because that was out of character for him.
ATTRITION (Jamie Mott) – 9th
We got a good position but perhaps off that speed it was a bit too close for him and he struggled to finish it off.
Read more: Cosmic Crusader Wins Cox Plate for Andrea Leek and William Pike
MIDDLE EARTH (John Allen) – 8th
I was fairly happy with him. He had a little stumble out of the gate which put us out the back from there. Once he got into the home straight and balanced up, he held his gallop all the way to the line and was good and strong late. It should have him spot on for where he is going. On Tuesday week.
WARWOVEN (Rachel King) – 7th
Super run. He was up against the big boys today. He equipped himself well but he might not have been ready for the 2000 (metres) this prep, but I think he will in time.
SIR DELIUS (Craig Williams) – 6th
He’s done everything much better. His attitude was better, he ran better, but we were still beaten four lengths. We have to be at our top to beat these horses and the horses so far are rock hard, race fit. Credit to all the connections and everyone involved with the winner and placegetters, it was a fantastic race. My horse is a champion and we just got to get him back there and he’s not far off.
SAINT GEORGE (Blake Shinn) – 5th
A pretty good Melbourne Cup trial. A great fifth. He got beat by the four best horses in the country. Ran super. Bring on the Cup.
Read more: Cox Plate Winners: Every Winner Since 1922 and Race Records
CEOLWULF (Chad Schofield) – 4th
Very proud of him. I thought he ran a terrific race. Travelled like the winner, was in a winning spot. He’s been beaten not far at all. Very proud.
AELIANA (James McDonald) – 3rd
She was huge. Very proud of her. She did a good job.
BIRDMAN (Ben Melham) – 2nd
Really proud of the horse. He got it all right today. We had a beautiful run, he burst through to win, but ran into a better one on the day.
COSMIC CRUSADER (William Pike) – 1st
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.
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.
I had in my mind over the line, I’m not much of a saluter, I’m like ‘don’t salute, don’t salute’ and then the moment gets the better of you and you stand up and you salute and you carry on.
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.
To have him here after more runs than most, and to Mr Peters, he just knows what he’s doing with his horses and he’s always encouraging his trainers.
He’s taught me you’ve got to see an athlete out there and he keeps the pressure on, which is an amazing thing from an owners’ perspective.
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More News
- Cosmic Crusader Wins Cox Plate for Andrea Leek and William Pike
- Cox Plate Winners: Every Winner Since 1922 and Race Records
- Racing Form Guide
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