Randwick Races

It was a thrilling affair at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday as Jessicabeel came from well back to claim the prestigious $400,000 Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).

The 2010 Sydney Cup headlined the day’s proceedings which culminated the Autumn Racing Carnival, and Craig Newitt certainly had a game plan for the winning John O’Shea-trained mare, settling her back in the field and timing the finish perfectly.

Craig Newitt certainly had a game plan for the winning John O’Shea-trained mare, settling her back in the field and timing the finish perfectly.

It was a fantastic finish which resulted in a mare’s cup quinella, with Divine Rebel three-quarters of a length behind in second – the mare’s second consecutive runner up spot in the event, while Harris Tweed was a further length behind in third.

The triumphant mare started badly, but given her innate ability to stay strong over the long distance, came good when she outstayed the rest of the field after a fabulous turn of foot in the tail end of the race.

Going into the race, Precedence was topping the odds, and while the Bart Cummings-trained gelding started strong and led the field, could not maintain the pace and crossed the line last, while Zavite was another contender and made the same mistake finishing a spot ahead of Precedence.

With such an impressive form over the 3,200 metre race, the most logical path for Jessicabeel will be the 2010 Melbourne Cup

Also taking place on Saturday alongside the 2010 Sydney Cup was the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), the Group 1 Champagne Stakes and the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m).

2010 Sydney Cup Results