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Cismontane wins 2017 Lexus Stakes Group 3 $300,000 at Flemington (VIC), 2500m.
Cismontane earned his chance in the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m) with a determined front-running win here, his fifth (maiden stakes win) in 19 starts. Jockey Stephen Baster wasted no time from the outset and sent him to the lead past the post with a circuit to run and down the back straight, where he led by three lengths at the 1400m.
At the 1000m he went further ahead, out by five lengths but into the straight the lead was barely a length. Baster kept him going, they were headed at the 200m but then fought back doggedly to hold on by a neck.
Vengeur Masque moved up to second at the 700m, grabbed a narrow lead at the 200m but was unable to answer the winner's fight back.
From second last at the 500m, Pentathlon put in a sustained run the length of the straight but could not peg back the first two for a close up third from Alward, who looked a chance at the 300m but faded slightly into fourth.