3 minute read
Ihtsahymn backed up his Kingston Town Classic win by claiming the Cox Stakes.
The Fred Kersley-trained Ihtsahymn ($3.60 fav) maintained his excellent recent form, making it three wins in a row, two at Group Two level and one at Group One.
The smart three-year-old settled nicely in fifth place one off the rails, following a moderate pace. He improved three wide passing the 600m point, challenged strongly shortly after turning for home, took a narrow lead at the 100m and battled gamely to score by a long neck.
Kincaple ($21) was fifth early but trapped deep so he made an early move to take the lead at the 1400m. He then slowed the pace and fought back particularly well when challenged in the straight to be beaten by only a long neck at the post.
Rohan led early then eased to race in second place from the 1400m point. He challenged at the home turn and kept fighting on well in the straight for third, beaten two lengths.
Black Tycoon ($21) was seventh one off the rails, fanned wide rounding the turn and battled on to take fourth.
Luckygray ($4.25) was eighth one off the rails and was conceding the leader about seven lengths at the 600m. He went deep at the home turn and kept battling on quite well, without threatening, to finish (three lengths) fifth.
Mr Moet ($4) settled nicely in seventh place on the rails but was under pressure as the tempo increased from the 600m. He went to the rails at the 300m and just kept plugging on in the straight to finish (four lengths) sixth.