The only three-year-old in the field of Sydney’s richest race for stayers has won the $2.25m The BMW (2400m) this afternoon at Rosehill Gardens.
The Anthony Cummings-trained Fiveandahalfstar staged a bold run, leading from the outset of the race and withholding an unexpected challenge on the rails by Silent Achiever at the post.
Although the colt hadn’t won since the Victoria Derby in November last year, it started a $4 race favourite on the back of solid form – four consecutive second places at Group Level since February.
It was jockey Hugh Bowman’s first ride aboard Fiveandahalfstar.
“He can be deceiving, he picks up and he is not the easiest horse to judge pace wise, but I was pretty confident from the 1400m I felt I was really in control,” Bowman said post-race.
“ I just held onto him and let him get through his gears and you saw him fight when Silent Achiever came up his inside, it’s a great feeling and a privilege.”
Source : Racing NSW