Mossfun turned the tables on favourite Earthquake to claim the $3.5 million Tooheys New Golden Slipper for Team Hawkes and James McDonald.
Easy in betting as punters rallied strongly for Earthquake, Mossfun overcame a slow start before hugging the rail in the straight to score a memorable victory over the favourite with Bring Me The Maid charging late for third.
McDonald never panicked after the tardy beginning and proved why he is regarded as a future star of the sport, holding his nerve and sticking to the fence as his rivals all scouted wide to search for better ground.
The fillies dominanted the race, as many predicted, with the fairer sex filling the first seven placings across the line.
Ghibellines, trained by Peter Snowden, was the first colt home finishing eighth.
Hall Of Fame trainer John Hawkes had already won two Golden Slippers but this was his first since going in to partnership with his sons Michael and Wayne.
“We’ve had our ups and downs and when you gel as a team, that is what it is all about,” Michael Hawkes said.
“We’ve been out on our own for seven years now but it has just taken a couple of years.
“It is hard to get a two-year-old let alone a filly like this. She was bought for $85,000. Dad has won it twice already but for the three of us to win it, it is pretty special.
“We’re pretty excited and jubilant at the moment but I still don’t think it has really sunk in yet.”
McDonald praised fellow Kiwi Jim Cassidy following the victory for the advice he had given the promising young jockey.
“When the gates opened I just couldn’t believe it. I was in shock but then I thought about John (Hawkes) and what he said to Michael who relayed the instructions on – ‘just don’t panic, sit back and do your thing and let her do the rest’, and that’s what she did. She’s a super two-year-old.,” he said.
“I actually can’t believe it. It didn’t all go to plan, she just bobbed as the gates opened.
“Riding for a team like John’s. He gives you instructions and then he has faith in his jockeys.”
“I’ve got to thank Jimmy Cassidy who actually told me, if you are going good hug the rail, and watching him beat me in the Coolmore [Classic, two weeks ago] he definitely outrode me there.
“I had no choice. I was back and just kept sucking up, sucking up.
“When I cantered down on (It’s A) Dundeel, Jimmy Cassidy told me to have a look at the fence, you know your two-year-old handles it. Have a punt, have a go, show your Kiwi qualities and that’s what I did.”
– Racing Network
