Age has not slowed OTI Racing's Amade, which emerged from the pack to capture Wednesday's $500,000 Group III bet365 Geelong Cup (2400m).
Where to look (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)
With seven horses across the track with just 50m to run, the Phillip Stokes-trained 10-year-old gelding scythed between runners under an inspired ride by Zac Spain to defeat Ashrun (FR) (Authorized) by a neck with Sir Lucan (Camelot) a nose back in third.
It was the second stakes win for the son of the Shamardal stallion Casamento (IRE) after his triumph in the Grade II Belmont Gold Cup in 2019.
With his second win in Australia, Amade advances his record to ten wins, two seconds, and three thirds from 27 starts with earnings of $966,846.
Although Amade is entered for the Melbourne Cup, managing owner Terry Henderson from OTI Racing told Racing.com that the Group III Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on November 11 is the more likely option.
Despite breaking a 130 weeks drought, winning trainer Phillip Stojkes said the result did not shock him.
"He's been building up to this. His run in The Bart Cummings was good and was peaking today," Stokes said.
"It's funny when you bring him back to a track where he missed the kick here by 12 lengths two years ago and got beaten four."
Bred in Ireland by Eamonn Mcevoy, Amade is a half-brother to the Group III Sandown Stakes winner Nakuti (Mastercraftsman).
He is one of four winners from as many to race for the Five Star Day mare Sheba Five a half-sister to stakes-winners On My Dime and Arch Rebel.
After beginning his career at Darley, Casamento died at the age of twelve at Sunnyhill Stud, Ireland. He had previous success in Australia with Kings Will Dream, who defeated Finche and Hartnell in the 2019 Group 1 Turnbull Stakes.
