Following a luckless sixth in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) on a heavy 10 at Randwick, the Edward Cummings-trained Duais showed her appreciation of a good track at Flemington with a dominant performance in the $1,500,000 Group 1 Australia Cup (2000m) at Flemington.
The Melbourne Cup third, Spanish Mission (USA) led them around the turn before being tackled ,firstly by Think It Over, then Duais who came with a barnstorming finish under Josh Parr.
The Group 1 BRC Queensland Oaks winning daughter of Shamus Award defeated Think It Over (So You Think) by two lengths with a further three-quarter length back to Spanish Mission (Noble Mission).
With her fourth stakes success, Duais advances he record to six wins, four seconds, and a third from 17 starts with earnings of $1,797,465.
Cummings trains at Hawkesbury chich was underwater from torrential rain during the week.
“Our hearts and our minds go out to everyone who was affected by those floods. I hope in some very small way this win gives everyone out at Hawkesbury a boost, and in western Sydney as well,” Cummings said.
“The Panthers were able to get up on Friday night, round one for the area. I’d like to think we’ve done our small bit for the area here today as well.
“We always wanted to be here. It was always part of the plan.
“We knew that we had done something similar last preparation. Naturally we were disappointed that the grand final didn’t work out how we liked but we felt getting here to Flemington would suit her down to the ground, 2000m third up.
“She’s done it before; it was there for everybody to see if they really bothered to look.”
It has been some week in Melbourne for Josh Parr after winning on Overpass and Malkovich last Saturday.
“I’m elated. I must say. I’m struggling for words which isn’t too common with me,” Parr said.
“What a thrill to ride a Group 1 winner at Flemington. From near the back of the field, the Australian Cup, I’m over the moon.
“I was full of confidence. With a pinch of luck we would have won the Chipping Norton. That was evident with her final furlong. It was very strong.
“I was confident when I saw her here today. Edward assured me that she was in great shape and she certainly was.
“Once I got aboard she was relaxed. This is great.
“Hughie Bowman was looking to angle off on Maximal and I was going so well I was quite bullish. I got up outside him and held him there.
“That’s a great feeling in a Group 1 when you’re able to manoeuvre a horse like that. You know you’re in good shape for a victory.”
Duais is a homebred for Matthew Irwin and the Harris family from Queensland, who purchased her dam Meerlust (Johannesburg) for $22,000 at the 2009 Scone Yearling Sale.
Meerlust has two stakes-winners and a Doomben winner from three of her first four foals.
The first stakes-winner was the Casino Prince mare Baccarat Baby who won the Group III SunCTC Guineas and Listed SCTC Princess Stakes while banking over $500,000.
Consigned by Telemon Thoroughbreds to the National Broodmare Sale, Baccarat Baby was purchased by Spendthrift Stud for $650,000 and is in foal to first season stallion Dirty Work.
Duais is a direct descendant of the great racemare and influential producer Fanfreluche (CAN) the dam of L'Enjoleur, La Voyageuse and D'Accord and ancestress of Flying Spur and Encosta de Lago.
Meerlust has an unraced 3yo sister to Duais named Amity Gal, who has a win, a second, and a third from three starts
After missing in 2018 and 2018, Meelust has an All Too Hard weanling filly and was covered by Bivouac last spring.
