Consistent mare Floria dispelled any stamina doubts when she won Saturday’s Group Two Brisbane Cup in an effort that may convince trainer Peter Moody to extend her winter campaign.
Floria ($9) won by 1-1/4 lengths from Moriarty ($4.40) with favourite Zephyron ($3.80) two lengths away third.
In the process the mare smashed the previous race record by 1.83 seconds and was only .49 seconds outside the track record.
Floria was saddled up for Moody by ex-jockey Brian Hibberd who rode Coshking to win the Brisbane Cup in 1989.
Hibberd said Floria’s triumph might convince her trainer to keep her in Queensland for the Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on June 28.
“Depending on what the plans are in the spring, the Caloundra Cup would seem a nice race for her,” Hibberd said.
“She’s a lovely mare who has done everything right since she’s been here.”
Hibberd admitted he was unsure before the race whether Floria would run out a strong 2400m.
“It was her first attempt at the trip and you’re never really sure until they do it,” he said.
“I was a bit worried when she got to the front a bit early because Moriarty had been tracking her all the way but in the end I think the pull in weights got her home.”
A week earlier in the Eagle Farm Cup, Floria finished third to Moriarty but she met the Chris Waller-trained stayer on 4.5kg better weight terms in the Brisbane Cup.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy said Floria rallied strongly when Moriarty challenged her in the straight.
“When he loomed up alongside us I was a bit worried but I knew we hadn’t spent a penny in the run and in the end she was too good for him,” McEvoy said.
Moriarty was aiming to become the first horse to score back-to-back wins in the Cup since Fair Patton in 1964-65.
“He gave his all but in the end the weight difference told the tale,” jockey Nash Rawiller said.
Jockey Glen Boss was full of praise for the effort of Zephyron.
“It was a high pressure race but he acquitted himself well,” he said.
– AAP