The United States bounced back from a tough run in the Blamey Stakes to record a maiden Group 1 victory in the 2016 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.
The United States was too strong for his rivals in the 2016 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
The United States finished second behind He Or She in a very quickly run Blamey Stakes last weekend, but the Macedon Lodge team elected to run the Galileo entire in the Ranvet Stakes and the decision paid off when he proved too strong for Hauraki and Criterion in the final stages of the race.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy gave The United States an outstanding run in transit, but he was quick to paid credit to the training performance of Team Williams and was thrilled with the turn-of-foot that the six-year-old showed in the final stages of the race.
“He was backing up within a week and it was a great job from Rob, Lloyd and Nick,” McEvoy said.
“It looked a nice race on paper, but we were awkwardly placed last on the rail and they had only gone really slow.
“I thought to myself that I just need to cut the corner now because I have a better turn-of-foot than these and that is what he showed.
“He really quickened up through a gap and I was in front within a 100 yards.
“He showed a good acceleration and it is well played to Lloyd and Nick for picking out this race after last start when he was only just beaten.”
Co-owner Nick Williams said that the original plan was to send The United States to the spelling paddock after the Blamey Stakes, but they elected to send him to Sydney for the Ranvet Stakes after he came out of the race in outstanding condition.
Williams confirmed that The United States will now head to the spelling paddock and he revealed that he could be set for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) during the 2016 Spring Racing Carnival.
“It is a great honour to be here and I think that it is without question the biggest day of racing in the autumn,” Williams said.
“It was 99 percent that he would have gone to the paddock after the Blamey, but he ran so well and he ate up on Saturday night and on Sunday he was bouncing off the walls, so we thought that he deserves his chance in a Group 1.
“He will be in the paddock on Monday and off the strength of that I would suggest he will be on a Cox Plate campaign.”
Hauraki looked like the winner at the 200 metre mark but was unable to go with The United States in the final stages of the race, while Criterion knocked up late to finish third.
