West Australian star Cosmic Crusader has stunned Flemington — and broken some hearts — with an epic victory in the Cox Plate.
History hung thick in the air at this year’s running of the $6 million event, with storylines everywhere you looked.
Superstar trainer Chris Waller was chasing a record-equalling seventh Cox Plate crown, champion jockey James McDonald was hunting a fifth consecutive victory, Craig Williams was shooting for his third Cox Plate, and racing icon Gai Waterhouse was desperate for her first.
Add to the mix that Rachel King and Jamie Melham were out to become the first female jockeys to win a Cox Plate, and it was the first time the famous weight-for-age race was run at Flemington, it all made for a drama-filled event.
But Cosmic Crusader, with West Australian jockey William Pike on board, stormed home to shock the field, with Birdman second, McDonald on Aeliana in third place, and Ceolwulf in fourth.
Cosmic Crusader, Pike and prominent WA owner-breeder Bob Peters are affectionately known as the ‘Wizards from the West’.
And now, Cosmic Crusader joins the legendary Northerly as a Cox Plate winner from the west, with Northerly claiming consecutive Cox Plates crowns in 2001 and 2002.
But once again it is disappointment for Waterhouse, with her early favourite Sir Delius finishing in sixth place.
The result got the better of a usually reserved Pike, who couldn’t help but mark the occasion with an uncharacteristic celebration after passing the post.
“I don’t ever dream of winning these races, because it’s always too far to reach,” he said.
“I had in my mind over the line, I’m not much of a saluter, I’m like ‘don’t salute, don’t salute’ and then the moment gets the better of you and you stand up and you salute and you carry on.
“It’s amazing, it’s infectious. (There’s a) big crowd, an iconic day - most likely the only ever Cox Plate to be run here - so it’s nice that we get to etch our name in there.”
Cosmic Crusader ($9.50) posted the 12th win of a 24-start career when he got home by three quarters of a length from Birdman ($11), who finished a head in advance of $4.20 favourite Aeliana.
Fourth was Sydney visitor Ceolwulf, who like Cosmic Crusader was on the back-up after finishing second in last week’s King Charles III Stakes, while long-time pre-post favourite Sir Delius ($5) laboured into sixth position.
Trainer Andrea Leek, took over training duties of Cosmic Crusader from Perth horseman Michael Grantham, is a former successful jumps jockey.
She said she knew after the Bletchingly Stakes he was a horse who could take her towards a stage she hadn’t dared dream she would perform on.
“He wasn’t over the distance that he needed to be at that stage, what he was doing then was extraordinary,” she said of the Bletchingly Stakes win.
“He’s just an iron horse and he has just got better and better and better.
“What a champion. What a ride by Willie Pike. Thanks to the Peters’ for giving him to me and trusting in me.
“I’ve said before, I feel like I’m an imposter. To step in and have a horse like this in the early stages of my career, I’m very lucky. I couldn’t be happier.”
- With Ras NewsWire
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