Second to Pounamu in both the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic and Group II Ted Van Heemst Stakes, Material Man turned the tables on his old foe in a heart-stopping finish to the $500,000 Group II Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on New Years Day.
Enjoying the run of the race under Lucy Warwick, Material Man hit the front 300 metres out while Patrick Carbery was weaving a passage between runners from well back in the field.
The two crossed the line locked together with Material Man earning the decision on the bob of the head. Royal Star (Redoute's Choice was back in third.
It was a history-making first for the father-daughter combination of trainer Justin Warwick and daughter Lucy.
"It was 100 metres further than he wanted to go. I was well aware that 2000 metres is probably his trip, Justin Warwick said.
"In stretching him out to this without an ideal barrier, an ideal ride and everything going our way, we got given it and it was ours to lose. Fortunately enough we hung on by not a lot.
"He's the best horse I've had. It's just been great to have him the whole way through. He's got a good horses record, he has won over a million bucks, anyone can hop on him over any distance and he never runs a bad race.
It was the second Perth Cup for the trainer after Black Tycoon in 2014 and a first for daughter Lucy.
"I'm just relieved it's over. I felt like spewing up behind the gates I was so nervous, Lucy Warwick said.
"It was probably the first time I've ridden him the way he needs to be ridden.
"All the runs came at the perfect time but I was out in front for a long time by myself. It's a massive straight – you can see the Cup at the end and you've just got to make it there.
"I could hear him (Pounamu) coming and I thought don't stop, don't stop. He's coming on my inside and I thought please don't and we got there in the nick of time.
A homebred for the MacDermott family, Material Man advances his record to 11 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third from 20 starts with earnings of $1,043,975.
He is the first foal of the Sydney winning Hussonet (USA) mare Del Lirio, a descendant of Eight Carat's half-sister Great Klaire (GB), who has spent the greater part of her broodmare career in the paddock without being covered.
Given a year off after foaling Material Man, Del Lirio produced the unraced Scandalous Miss (Scandal Keeper) then was not covered for the next four years.
In November last year, she made the trip to Newgate Farm to visit Wandjina.
Material Man is the best of three stakes winners for Vital Equine (IRE) who began his career at Yarradale Farm before relocating to Rosalee Park in 2016.
A son of Danetime, Vital Equine (pictured ) won the Group II Champagne Stakes at York, was second in the Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas and third in the Group 1 Grand Criterium at Longchamp.
He just completed his 10th season at stud covering 24 mares at a fee of $4,400.
