Duke De Sessa (IRL) chose the perfect spot to get off the mark in Australia when leading at every call in Saturday's $5,000,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Caulfield Cup (2400m) and provide Ciaron Maher with a memorable half-hour after Bella Nipotina captured the $20,000,000 The Tab Everest at Randwick.
Go Harry Go (image Grant Courtney)
The 6-year-old Lope De Vega (IRE) gelding delivered a career highlight for Harry Coffey, making every post a winner on the import to defeat the favourite Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock) by one and a quarter lengths, with Land Legend (Galileo) five lengths back in third.
The winner of two Group III races and a Listed race in Ireland for Dermott Weld, Duke De Sessa (IRL) advances his record to five wins, two seconds, and five thirds from 27 starts with earnings of $3,861,759.
Stable representative Jack Turnbull said it's a day to savour.
"It's magic to be honest; just fantastic to get on the phone with him (Ciaron), especially after Bella," Turnbull said.
"Pride Of Jenni's walking into the yard as well, so we'll hold fort for another ten minutes. Very good ride by Harry. Everyone' s so thankful for Harry, and really appreciative of him. Everyone knows how well-deserved it is. It's just amazing.
"Last season, he was a colt, and he had a good think about it, and he used to over-travel. This race we put a Norton bit on. He obviously had 12 months of seasoning and conditioning, and Ciaron and the team just had a better handle on him. So the form is around him with Via Sistina, and it's just amazing. Just very appreciative and well done to Maurice Regan, Cole McKenna's in the horse. It's amazing, and it's fantastic for the stable."
Winning jockey Harry Coffey said it is the perfect birthday present.
"I don't know how to describe this. How am I feeling? Spectacular,' Coffey enthused.
"{When I let rip, I thought maybe I'd gone too early. But one thing you can count on with Ciaron Maher and this amazing team he has, you can back your horses in. They'll just keep running.
The stable will be celebrating for a week (image Grant Courtney)
"I just couldn't believe that he kept running. And that the Caulfield Cup was going to have Harry Coffey's name next to it. Like, it's just phenomenal. It's not supposed to happen to people like myself. I'm just, I'm considered a battler. People like to laugh about how I'm a battler and a country boy. But, yeah, not many Caulfield Cups get won by country boys.
"My Dad wanted to come with me today, but I told him not to worry about it, and I' ll handle it without him. And he actually nearly caught the train this morning and was going to drive me home tonight and I said to him, 'nah, I might have a beer tonight.' So it all worked out how I thought. But, sorry Dad, that I told you not to come."
Bred by Newtown Anner Stud, Duke De Sessa (IRL) is the best of two winners from four to race for the Group III-placed Cape Cro0ss mare Dark Crusader, a half-sister to stakes-winner Naughty Or Nice (Fastnet Rock).
Duke De Sessa (IRL) is the 24th Group 1 winner Ballylinch Stud’s Lope De Vega, who left Santa Ana Lane, Vega One, and Gytrash in four seasons shuttling to Australia.
