Winner of the Geelong Cup on October 25, Vengeur Masque (IRE) missed out on a free ticket to the Melbourne Cup when second to Cismontane in the Lexus Stakes, however, it set him up well for Saturday's $300,000 Group III Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington.
Sent straight to the lead by Ryan Moloney, Vengeur Masque was eyeballed all the way by the favourite Qewy but it was clear approaching the home turn Charlie Appleby's Bendigo Cup winner was struggling.
The challenge came from OTI racing's Grey Lion (IRE) who had enjoyed a cushy run behind the leader but Vengeur Masque was keeping up a relentless gallop and would not be caught.
He defeated Grey Lion (IRE) (Galileo) by three-quarter of a length with Wheal Leisure (Artie Schiller) a half-length back in third. (photos Grant Courtney)
Qewy clocked in sixth and trainer Charlie Appleby said the 8yo son of Street Cry (IRE) had been a loyal servant for Godolphin and would now be retired.
Winning trainer Mike Moroney said he was disappointed Vengeur Masque failed to make the field in the Melbourne Cup.
"He's come of age. It was disappointing for us he did not make the Melbourne Cup," Moroney said.
"I really felt this was the first of probably the next three years where he would be a Melbourne Cup chance.
"He's only just gotten mature. He reminds me a lot of Brew, once they get strong they are different horses and he showed today what a lot of strength he had to do what he did.
"We planned to do that and make the favourite carry his weight and it worked pretty well.
"We will have a bit of an autumn with him, probably the Sydney Cup and take it from there. He will be back here next spring without any doubt."
A son of the all-conquering Monsun, Vengeur Masque is out of Venetian Beauty (Lear Fan), an unraced sister to Group II Prix de l'Opera winner Verveine who was multiple Group 1 placed in France.
Verveine is the dam of four stakes winners headed by the Group 1 EP Taylor Stakes winner Volga (Caerleon) and Group 1 Hong Kong Vase winner Vallee Enchantee (Peintre Celebre).
A half-sister to Venetian Beauty, Vanishing Prairie, also left four stakes winners including the dual Group 1 winner Vespone and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon.
