Malaguerra Too Fast At Doomben

It was the sprinters turn for Group 1 glory at Doomben when they lined up over six furlongs for the G1 UBET BTC Cup and it was Malaguerra (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) that claimed the honours for the training brothers Lee and Anthony Freedman. It was a first Group 1 win for the 4-year-old gelding who scraped home by a short head from Dothraki (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) with Japonisme (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) a length and a quarter back in third. Malaguerra's win also provided a welcome return to the Group 1 stage for jockey Glen Colless, who had not ridden a top level winner since 2001. “It's been a while,” the 48-year-old said. “I am in the twilight of my career so this was something very special. I lost a good friend earlier this year and a few other things have gone against me. I was happy when I got to the fence but I thought I might have hit the lead too early in the straight. But he did just keep giving when challenged. I'm pretty emotional about it really,” added the rider.

UBET BTC CUP-G1, A$500,000, Doomben, 5-14, Open wfa, 1200mT, 1:08.73, Gd.

1–&MALAGUERRA (AUS), 58.5, g, 4, by Magnus (Aus)

2–Dothraki (Aus), 58.5, g, 5, Mossman–Volantis, by Flying Spur.
(A$45,000 Ylg 2012 MM National Yearling Sale) O-Triple Crown Syndications (Mgr: C Ward), G Harvey, Ms V Johnson, Mrs D G
Moore, J H Hazlett, D K Poisel, B M Chisholm, K A Marsh, D Warren, V Albanese, B J Thomas, B S Close, K T M; B-Mr G Harvey
NSW; T-P & P Snowden; J-B Shinn; A$100,000.

3–Japonisme (Aus), 57.0, g, 3, Choisir–Haiku, by Encosta de Lago.
O-Ingham Racing (Mgrs: Ms L J Ingham, J A Ingham, R C Ingham, Mrs D N Kepitis); B-Ingham Racing NSW; T-C J Waller; J-G Schofield; A$50,000.

Margins: 0.1, 1.4, 1.5. Odds: 6/1, 4/1, 23/10f.
Also Ran: Two Blue (Aus), Fell Swoop (Aus), Target in Sight (Aus), Artlee (Aus), Delectation (Aus), Liberation (Aus), Echo Gal (Aus), Sacred Star (Aus), Charlie Boy (Aus), Stratum Star (Aus). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video

For trainer Lee Freedman Saturday's success was a welcome return to the Group 1 stage , his first at the highest level since preparing Speed Gifted (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) to win the Metropolitan H. in 2009. In August 2011 Freedman, 59, stepped away from training for three years before returning to train in partnership with brother Anthony in November 2014. For Anthony,

Malaguerra's win was a second Group 1 success and he wasn't expecting Malaguerra to add to that record at this stage. “This is great,” he said. “'But I didn't think he'd be a Group 1 horse as quickly as he has been.” Malaguerra has risen up through the handicap ranks and although a last time out sixth of eight behind English (Aus) (Encosta De Lago {Aus}) in the G1 Schweppes All Ages S. he is now five wins from his last six runs. He had previously made his mark in stakes company when winning the G3 Kingdom S. at Rosehill Mar. 26 and bounced back from that last below par effort to claim this event over a furlong shorter. After jumping well from gate eight, Malaguerra settled behind leader Two Blue (Aus) (Dubleo) before easing out entering the straight. He challenged for the lead inside the final furlong, but was quickly joined by Dothraki. Although headed by the eventual runner-up Colless got a renewed effort from his mount to out-bob Dothrakin in the last stride. The winner will now point towards the G1 Stradbroke H. at Eagle Farm June 11.