Renew produced a tough staying performance to record his maiden Australian race win in the 2014 Sandown Cup this afternoon.
The Sandown Cup was a very strangely run affair and the likes of Like A Carousel and Ancient King swooped around the outside of the field, while Renew was asked to do some work early by Chris Symons before he was able to settle into a nice rhythm.
The field was separated by only four lengths coming into the straight before Renew and Like A Carousel cleared away from the rest of the field; with the OTI-owned stayer pulling clear of the luckless Like A Carousel in the final stages of the race.
Symons admitted after the race that he was caught in an awkward position in the early stages of the Sandown Cup, but he was delighted that he was able to recover and steer the Dansili gelding to victory.
“It is a great achievement by everyone involved,” Symons said.
“I got to ride this horse first-up when he came over here, but I couldn’t make the weight in the Caulfield Cup and he ran terrific last start at Flemington.
“With the favourite out it was always going to be a messy race.
“He hit the turn really quick and the awkward draw made it really difficult to get in, but we had a bit of cover and I barbecued it early but I recover late.”
Renew joined the stable of Archie Alexander after he made his Australian racing debut in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) and has given the young trainer a great thrill after running in the Caulfield Cup, finishing second at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day and now taking out the Sandown Cup.
Alexander has worked alongside some of the best trainers right around the world, but the Ballarat-based trainer said that he is thrilled to now be training Stakes winners in his own right.
“It is a complete dream and it is great to be winning a Sandown Cup.
“It is very special and I am on a bit of a cloud.
“I have done my time and hopefully now it is time to step into the bigger lead and this is the start of it hopefully.
“It is all down to this horse and these guys for giving me such great support.
“To give me a horse as good as this, I am very grateful.
“I’m not quite sure about the future of me with him, but he has been amazing for me.”
Renew is expected to join the Chris Waller when he returns from the spelling paddock and he will be set for some of the biggest races during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
