The seven-year-old War Front (USA) gelding Homesman (USA) earned a second win at the highest level with a typically gritty performance in Saturday’s $1,500,000 Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington.
This one had a special meaning with part-owner Michael Gudinski passing away during the week.
The winner of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes when trained by Liam Howley, Homesman (USA) broke his duck for Anthony and Sam Freedman in the Group II Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley last spring.
With Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil in the saddle on Saturday, Homesman (USA) edged out Best Of Days (GB) (Azamour) by a nose with Chapada (Bullet Train) a length back in third.
Homesman (USA) advances his record to seven wins, five seconds and three thirds from 24 starts with earnings of $3,003,039.
“It’s a big thrill,” Same Freedman said.
It’s a huge team effort. There’s a lot of people behind the horse, and Michael Gudinski was very close to the family.
“Dad had some very fond memories with him back in the nineties and early 2000s.
“We had a chat with Lloyd (Williams) during the week, and he had the idea to ride the horse out wide and ride him like a European horse, which he is. Particularly having a bit of room to move and one thing he’s got is that tenacity and that will to win.
“He’s now a two-time Group 1 winner. He couldn’t quite get a slot in the All-Star Mile, but this is maybe a little bit better.
“We knew he’d be a touch stronger than the second horse for the last little bit. He is proven at this distance. On the line, I thought the other horse got the bob in, so it was a pleasant surprise.”
Homesman (USA) is a three-quarter brother to stakes-winner US Army Ranger, who placed in the Group 1 July Cup, Group 1 Prix de la Foret and the Grade 1 Inglewood Hcp at Hollywood Park.
He is one of nine winners from 11 named foals of the Red Ransom (USA) mare My Annette, a three-quarter sister to the top-class stallion Dynaformer and a half-sister to stakes-winner White Bridle (Seattle Slew) who stood at stud in Australia.
