The odds-on favourite Naval College (GB) sent punters to the bar when pulling it out of the fire with a last-gasp win in the Listed Inglis Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Randwick.
Making it three wins on the bounce, the Annabel Neasham-trained son of Dartmouth edged out Torrens (Adelaide) with the fast-finishing Kirkeby (Kermadec) back in third.
Naval College (GB) is the second consecutive winner of the race bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II after Chalk Stream (GB). He advances his record to six wins, four seconds, and a third from 13 starts and earns $475,760.
James McDonald said few things went right for the Highclere Thoroughbreds colour-bearer who was coming off wins at Randwick and the Listed January Cup at Rosehill.
“I don’t want that again,” a relieved McDonald said.
“The complexion of the race changed at the 1000m and it was not a great position to be in, especially under the big weight. He gives his all and did such a good job to soldier it out.
“I was in two minds and did not know whether to chase or come back.
“Jenny (Duggan) rode a good race and just got beat. Full credit to my horse.”
A 185,000 gns buy for Sackvilledonald at the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, Naval College (GB) is the best of two winners from four to race for the stakes-placed Selkirk mare Sequence a half-sister to Sinndar (Grand Lodge) whose seven wins included the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, The Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and National Stakes.
