Light Infantry Man ($9.50) has stormed over the top to claim the 163rd running of the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday afternoon, with the former UK galloper securing his second Group 1 victory since arriving to the Ciaron Maher stable.
The son of Fast Company was an impressive winner of the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at the end of last preparation and has seemingly gone to a new level in the autumn, with the six-year-old peaking third-up after finding the minor money behind Tom Kitten in the Group 1 All Star Mile (1600m) last time out.
It was a race that panned out perfectly for star hoop Ethan Brown, lobbing into the ideal stalking position mid-field with cover as stable companion Pride Of Jenni ($3.50) rolled along at a fast tempo under the urgings of Craig Newitt.
Deny Knowledge ($10 with BlondeBet) missed the start, but there was no panic by Craig Williams, allowing the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained mare to settle in the one-one throughout the journey.
Zardozi ($4.80 with Dabble) and Atishu ($5.50) both settled worse than mid-field and appreciated the fast-run affair, while Middle Earth ($6) never looked likely to figure after getting back to last in the bunching field of 10.
It became a real slog as the leaders turned for home, with Pride Of Jenni quick to throw in the towel after setting a strong tempo, leaving Light Infantry Man to take over in the final 300m.
He had Zardozi, Atishu and Deny Knowledge breathing down his neck, but the trio simply couldn’t reel in the margin, leaving Light Infantry Man to secure his first weight-for-age Group 1 win down under.
Ciaron Maher was on course at Flemington to assess the performance post-race.
“I was pretty confident actually,” said Maher.
“I knew he’d enjoy that good tempo because of his races in Europe and he’s just in career-best form.
“The team have done a great job with him, Browny rode him beautifully. When he ran first-up I said if he rides Flemington like he rode him at Caulfield (it would be good). He’s a strong horse and can sustain it.
“I’m so rapt for the ownership group, John and Ozzie. Will Bourne just keeps finding these horses. Big thanks to him and just to the team.
“He just keeps improving, he put the writing on the wall in Perth. It’s fantastic, He won quite well.”
Ethan Brown was delighted with the performance and was quick to credit the Ciaron Maher stable for a wealth of opportunities.
“It was sedate early but, as Jenni does, she picked it up a long way out,” said Brown.
“He was always going to relish it this bloke. 2000 metres was never a worry for him, but all the cards fell our way today.
“It’s a long straight that Flemington straight, but he really appreciates being ridden like that and I’m super rapt to get the job done today.
“It’s unreal, it means a lot to me and I do go on about it a lot but I just continue to get good support from Ciaron and this ownership group.
“They really batted for me the last 6-12 months and put me on their good horses and it’s just so rewarding to deliver them results.”
Light Infantry Man has now firmed into for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 12.
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