Over 16,200 racegoers enjoyed the sunshine and four Group 1 races at Royal Randwick yesterday for the final day of the BMW Sydney Carnival, Schweppes Sydney Cup Day.
In the day’s signature race, the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Sydney Cup, saw a quality field of 11 face the starter in the 3200m test where the Robert Hickmott-trained Mourayan claimed his first Group 1 victory.
The European import trailed behind unplaced race favourite Kelinni throughout the race before finishing strongly ahead of Adelaide Cup winner Norsqui and Aliyana Tilde from the Kerry Parker stable.
It was the third win of the day for BMW Sydney Carnival’s leading jockey Hugh Bowman who also took out the Group 1 $500,00 Santos Coffee Queen Elizabeth Stakes aboard Chris Waller-trained Reliable Man.
Star two-year-old filly Guelph for Peter Snowden showed her dominance in the Moet & Chandon 150th Champagne Stakes when she hit the line to snatch victory from Fuerza in a photo finish.
However all eyes were on the half-brother to champion mare Black Caviar, All Too Hard who proved he is a super star in his own right when he fought home to a half-length win in the Group 1 $400,000 Yarraman Park All Aged Stakes.
This is likely to be the last Sydney appearance for the son of Casino Prince who is now expected to be dispatched to Royal Ascot for the Queen Anne Stakes in June.
Sydney racing returns in a fortnight at Rosehill Gardens for the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation Race Day.
Source : Australian Turf Club
