Caulfield Cup hero Duke De Sessa defied the doubters with a stunning return in the Group III JRA Plate at Caulfield and is nicely set up for the staying features coming up in the autumn.
The Lope De Vega six-year-old hadn’t raced since November when ninth in the Group I Champions Stakes, following his Caulfield Cup triumph, and both trainer Ciaron Maher and rider Harry Coffey doubted his chances first-up.
“I actually didn't think he'd win on top of the ground over a mile but it's a lovely surprise,” said Maher.
“You always know that good horses are going to run well, but he just had a lot against him,” said Coffey.
As the race unfolded, Coffey was able to put his mount into a lovely spot on the rails with the front runners well in sight.
He then sprinted too well to defeated Marble Arch (Per Incanto) by a neck with stablemate Chorlton Lane (Mehmas) third.
“We don't give those stayers too long off. We just sort of change it up, keep them happy, keep them ticking over and he's just improving,” said Maher.
"He used to be a little bit fierce and as he's got a little bit older he just relaxes that little bit more and it was fantastic.
“It was a come-out preparation last time around and you just love seeing a stayer resume like that, it usually means they're in for a good preparation.
“He might go through an Australian Cup now. That's his plan, he may step out, it depends on what weight he gets when goes back to handicap conditions but he's in for a good prep anyway, either way.”
The winner of two Group III races and a Listed race in Ireland for Dermott Weld before coming to Australia, Duke De Sessa (IRL) advances his record to six wins, two seconds, and five thirds from 26 starts with earnings of $3,983,059
Bred by Newtown Anner Stud, he is the best of two winners from four to race for the Group III-placed Cape Cross 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.
