Gallante has delivered Macedon Lodge another staying feature race on Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick; leading from start to finish in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).
Gallante leads all of the way to win the Sydney Cup at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Gallante continued to receive big support in Sydney Cup betting markets this week and flew the barriers; immediately taking up the pace from the outside gate after comfortably crossing the field.
Settling into a great rhythm and setting only a fair tone for the classy field, Gallante headed Like A Carousel and Auvray past the post the first time.
Hugging the rails rounding onto the final straight, the son of Montjeu immediately responded when asked for an extra effort by jockey Kerrin McEvoy; kicking clear and hitting the line a length and a half ahead of Libran and 2015 champion Grand Marshal.
McEvoy delivered a typically brilliant performance aboard Gallante to win the 2016 Sydney Cup and was pleased to return Macedon Lodge a Group 1 triumph.
“It’s a great thrill to win this for Lloyd, Nick and Robert Hickmott,” McEvoy said.
“Lloyd just gave me a heap of confidence, he said the horse is flying, drops a lot in weight and handles the ground.
“He’s come on a lot from his last run and he’s had an un-orthodox prep into the Sydney Cup but Rob, Lloyd, Nick and the team have just shown what they can do.
“Lloyd just said do your best and we were able to pull it off.”
Nick Williams was on hand for Gallante’s win in the Sydney Cup and laid all the praise on the work of the Macedon Lodge team in turning the horse into a Group 1 winner, as well as McEvoy’s exceptional ride.
“We just love coming to Sydney, it’s one of the great places you can come to the races,” Williams said.
“To win this race which has been going for a long, long time, it’s one of the time-honoured races in Australia, it’s very exciting to win.
“Six months ago he got beaten at Pakenham and he’s had the ultimate gear change since then which has made all the difference because he had a shocking attitude.
“Really today is about all of the team – they’ve done a marvellous job turning this horse around. We knew he was a great stayer.
“He’s had a 15/10 ride by Kerryn McEvoy.”
Macedon Lodge are offered a great opportunity for a second Group 1 win on Day 2 of The Championships when The United States lines up for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at 4:35pm.
