WA raider Cosmic Crusader showed Victorian doubters that he is the real deal with an imperious display in Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Under William Pike, the $7.50 chance balanced up in fifth place but came under pressure when already nine lengths from tearaway leader Light Infantry Man ($31) at the 1000m mark.
However, he quickly regathered equilibrium and sauntered into the contest when produced by Pike at the 800m and moved to second place upon straightening, passing Sir Delius ($3f).
Asked up by the champion WA hoop, Cosmic Crusader stormed to the front with 200m to go and committed himself clear, eventually scoring by almost two lengths from Light Infantry Man.
The Bob and Sandra Peters-owned galloper rewarded Pike with a 19th Group 1 and trainer Andrea Leek with her first.
“Thank you to Mr Peters and his family,” Pike said.
“They backed me right from the get-go, even when I put in a bit of an iffy one a couple of starts ago. They’ve stayed strong throughout.
“To the Leek family as well, they’ve prepared him really well. He’s back being edgy today. I really like this version of him.
“I like it when he’s up and about. He was pushing around and throwing his head. He thinks he’s the king and I like this version of him.”
The performance silenced many critics of both the horse and rider after being beaten in two Group 1s at his previous starts.
“It’s really nice to get the job done. He put in those good runs without getting the job done,” Pike said.
“What might have brought us unstuck last time was the firmer deck, so good cut out of it today (helped).
“I don’t think it’s as heavy as initially thought. It rode really well and he loved well.”
Leek said despite quality opposition, headlined by third and fourth placegetters Aeliana ($3.90) and Sir Delius, she was inspired by her hopes.
“I was confident,” Leek said.
“I actually sent Bob a message this morning - I didn’t even speak to him - I just sent him a message and said, ‘no excuses today, he’s perfect’.
“He’s kept training on and I think the track was a touch firm the other day and he may have been a touch close but it’s all worth it for today.”
Cosmic Crusader firmed from $21 to $6 for the Cox Plate (2040m) but Leek kept the door open also for the Caufield Cup (2400m) in which he’s a $17 hope.
“We’ll leave that up to Bob whether he goes the Cox Plate path or the Caulfield Cup, but he’ll be in one of them,” the former jumps jockey said.
“I think he will (run 2400m) but I’ll leave that up for Willie and Bob to decide and I’ll just have him fit for the day.”
Later, fellow former West Aussie Smooth Chino ($6) went within a half-head of scoring in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m).
Skybird ($3f) strode away with a race-winning lead but once switched off by Ben Melham, she stopped quickly and scrambled home by a whisker.
The dramatic reduction in speed clearly also surprised Smooth Chino’s rider Austin Galati, who had resigned himself to second place.
In Sydney, Siena Grima landed her first top-level win at her maiden Group 1 ride when God’s Window ($31) delivered a decisive upset triumph in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).
Despite not being able to claim, the apprentice jockey retained the mount under a flyweight of just 50kg.
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