There was a Group III at Leopardstown look about Wednesday's $400,000 Group III Bet365 Geelong Cup (2400m) however the winner Steel Prince (IRE) is just about a naturalised citizen having taken his earnings to over $1 million in two years in his adopted homeland.
In a triumph for Anthony and Sam Freedman, Steel Prince (IRE) (Nathaniel), with Jye Mcneil in the saddle, worried his determined stablemate Le Don De Vie (GB) (Leroidesanimaux) out of the prize by a long-head with King Of Leogrance (FR) (Camelot) one and a quarter lengths back in third ahead of Ashrun (FR) who finished off as well in fourth.
Currently, 35th in the order of entry for this year's Melbourne Cup, Steel Prince (IRE) will likely need a penalty to make the field.
A 7yo gelded son by Enable's sire Nathaniel, Steel Prince (IRE) advances his record to nine wins, five seconds and three thirds from 26 starts with earnings of $1,064,412.
"Hopefully he will get a penalty and get in (the Melbourne Cup)," Sam Freedman said.
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t;The second horse was really brave at his first start in Australia, and he didn't shirk the task.
"Credit to this horse, he is incredible. He has been around a while, and he keeps turning up.
"I said to Jye, 'If you're right there at the top of the straight, he is a horse that loves a dog fight'. He was too strong today."
The winner of last years Listed VRC Andrew Ramsden Stakes, Steele Prince (IRE) is the third stakes-winner for the Danehill's Gr III Saint-Cloud Prix Cléopâtre heroine Steel Princess after the Gr 1 Woodbine Canadian International Stakes winner Sarah Lynx (Montjeu) and the Gr III Sandown Classic Trial Stakes winner Sugar Boy (Authorised).
