The trainer Ciaron Maher highlighted the outstanding runs from his two competitors who produced a breathtaking battle to decide the Australian Cup at Flemington.
Maher orchestrated the first and second placings in that Group 1 2000m showdown, Light Infantry Man scraping home by a nose over beloved Pride Of Jenni last Saturday.
Pride Of Jenni grabbed the lead in her typical manner and appeared under threat as the $2.50 favourite joined her with 400m to travel.
Hardly had the shouts for the favourite subsided when Pride Of Jenni hit back to dominate proceedings before Light Infantry Man loomed large.
The closing 100m proved electric as $21 shot Light Infantry Man ridden by Harry Coffey thrust his nose first past Pride Of Jenni ($11), with Apulia ($13) a length back in third.
Birdman lost ground approaching the finish to run fifth, three lengths shy.
Light Infantry Man, according to trainer Ciaron Maher, is an individual who must be handled just so.
Maher revealed that suspended regular Ethan Brown comprehends the gelding thoroughly and imparted tips to Coffey.
“This horse, he’s a unique horse, in the way he has to be ridden,” Maher said.
“Browny understands him well and I asked him to pass on some of that information last start and Harry didn’t really get it until he had finished the race.
He rode him perfect today. The start is very important for him. He blasted him straight out of the gates.
I don’t know who I’m more proud of, the winner or the second horse.”
Maher mulled over entering Sydney’s Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Randwick on the weekend, but saw the Australian Cup with Pride Of Jenni ensuring a proper gallop.
Last year’s Australian Cup saw Pride Of Jenni set a lively pace suiting Light Infantry Man perfectly, the same outcome Saturday.
“Two of his best wins are when he’s raced her,” Maher said.
“It’s such a shame for Jenni to run second again.
I know for (owner) Tony (Ottobre), it’s a race he holds very dear to his heart. He strapped back in the day a horse for (Colin) Hayes.
It’s still a race that’s eluded her, but she’s racing in great heart, and you never know, we may be back here with her next year. She was phenomenal.
I thought it was going to be a spectacular race and to be fighting it out with two of your own, it’s pretty cool.”
From his fourth-placed ride on Light Infantry Man in Caulfield’s Peter Young Stakes (1800m), where insights were gathered, Harry Coffey benefited from Brown’s morning text.
“This is his horse and he’s been so open and transparent in how to ride him,” Coffey said.
“He sent me a text this morning saying ‘I see it is going to be pretty wet, make sure you give him a nice warm up to the gates to let him know how open that track is. He’s a smart horse, and he’ll come to the conditions, but you have to let him know’.
“So, thank you Browny.”
Partner Declan Bates praised Pride Of Jenni as a true warrior.
“I don’t think I have ever asked of a horse what I asked of her today,” Bates said.
“I really asked her to extend quite early and she responded so gallantly.
“Frustrating not to win, obviously, but I am delighted for Harry, and I’m really happy with my horse.”
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