Cleveland Opens his Australian Account in Moonee Valley Gold Cup

Mark Smith - Friday October 27

Making his first start on the Moonee Valley track proved no problem for the Kris Less-trained Cleveland, who came with a barnstorming finish to open his Australian account in Friday night’s $750,000 Group II Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m)

Timed to perfection (image Grant Courtney)

 Given a James McDonald special, the 5-year-old son of Camelot was midfield early but was a menacing presence on the turn when the field packed up.

Carrying the colours of Lloyd and Nick Williams, Cleveland was strong to the line in defeating the rejuvenated Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War) by three-quarters of a length, with Future History (Showcasing) a nose back in third.

In May last year, Cleveland won the Chester Cup over 2 miles two and a half furlongs for Aidan O’Brien, defeating the top-class stayer Coltrane. When transferred to Joseph O’Brien, Cleveland ran Gear Up to a neck in the Group III Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown.

Advertisement

Before his  Moonee Valley Gold Cup triumph, Cleveland finished second to Land Legend in the $500,000 St Leger at Randwick.  

Kris Lees said the Melbourne Cup is on the radar.

“He got a lovely ride; just chimed in at the right time,” Kris Lees said.  

“He’s just taken a little improvement out of every run. We decided to take the blinkers off today, and I thought he reacted well.

“He’s got a few little quirks, but he’s a lovely horse, and I’m really honoured to be training him in these colours and great to get a result for them.

“He’ll come on again. I think he’s found a bit of form, and I think he’ll hold it now.

“I’ve been mates with Nick for a very long time. I’m very fortunate he’s given us an opportunity to take some nice horses and I repaid him with one today.”

Nick Williams explained the decision to send Cleveland to Kris Lees.

Cleveland looks the part (image Grant Courtney)

“We have been mates for probably thirty years, so once we decided to stop doing Macedon Lodge, we went up and had a look at Newcastle at his facilities,” he said.

“He’s got a fantastic facility, and I thought he’s the logical guy to give some horses to; it’s been a very enjoyable experience.

“I’m sure David Hegan (Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper) is probably watching tonight… probably not a very good race this, I’m sure the 51 and a half he’s got there is enough, not any more.

“We’ll see how he pulls up and make a decision on Saturday or Sunday, but obviously, you’d think we would head in that direction, but we’ll see.

“It’s been a great race, it’s wonderful being here in this cauldron, we’re not going to have it for much longer in this format so it’s wonderful to be here and win some races, it’s great.”

Camelot

Bred by Coolmore, Cleveland is the best of two winners for the Duke Of Marmalade mare Venus de Milo a dual Group III winner who was beaten a half-length when second to Chicquita in the Group 1 Irish Oaks, second in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks, second in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes, and third in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes.

Venus De Milo is a half-sister to multiple Group III winner and Group 1 placed Inchinor, a very successful stallion.   

Cleveland is the 59th stakes-winner for Coolmore Stud’s Camelot (IRE).

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup Gr2 2500m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:35.20
1
Cleveland
- 6h Camelot (GB) x Venus De Milo (IRE) (Duke Of Marmalade (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
2
0.8
Vow And Declare
- 8g Declaration Of War (USA) x Geblitzt (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: W Egan 57
3
0.9
Future History
- 6g Showcasing (GB) x Likelihood (USA) (Mizzen Mast (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Craig Williams 56
4
1.3
Lunar Flare
- 8m Fiorente (IRE) x My Fair Lago (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: M J Dee 54.5
5
1.5
So Dazzling
- 4m So You Think (NZ) x Dazzling Lady (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: D Yendall 51
6
1.7
Regal Power
- 8g Pierro (AUS) x Broadway Belle (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: J Leek Jnr Rdr: W F Pinn 55
7
1.9
Athabascan
- 5g Almanzor (FR) x Alzubra (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: Damian Lane 56.5
8
2
Sheraz
- 7g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Shemiyla (FR) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jye McNeil 55
9
3.5
Alenquer
- 6g Adlerflug (GER) x Wild Blossom (GER) (Areion (GER))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: D Oliver 58
10
3.6
True Marvel
- 8g Masked Marvel (GB) x Anecdotique (FR) (Enrique (GB))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Carleen Hefel 55
11
3.8
Fancy Man
- 6g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Fancy (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: J Mott 56.5
12
6
El Bodegon
- 5g Kodiac (GB) x Al Andalyya (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Lloyd 55
13
6.4
Mount Popa
- 9g Maxios (GB) x Mimalia (USA) (Silver Hawk (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Beau Mertens 56
14
8.2
Knights Order
- 9g So You Think (NZ) x Lamanka Lass (USA) (Woodman (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jordan Childs 58
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.