Amade wins Geelong Cup 2023

Posted by RS NewsWire at 9:25am on October 26th

After 18 months without a win, Amade has booked himself a potential start in the Melbourne Cup with a narrow win at Geelong.

A former French galloper, Amade showed his class with a win at Flemington over 2600m in April 2021, and Wednesday’s success in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) was his first victory since.

Amade is number 41 in the Order Of Entry into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 7 and can move up the list if rehandicapped for his win.

Last year’s Geelong Cup winner Emissary was penalised 0.5kg for his victory before going on to run second behind Gold Trip in last year’s Melbourne Cup.

However, trainer Phillip Stokes said the Melbourne Cup was unlikely if the 10-year-old did gain a start.

“We’ll keep the dream alive, but we’ve got the Queen Elizabeth Stakes earmarked,” Stokes said.

Ridden by Zac Spain, Amade ($31) scored by a neck from Ashrun ($5) with Sir Lucan ($31) a nose away in third place.

A little over half-a-length separated the first five across the line while the $2.90 favourite with online bookmakers First Immortal finished seventh, just over 1-½ lengths from the winner.

Amade spent a year off the racing scene courtesy of a tendon injury but returned early this year to run third in the Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville in March.

Stokes said the plan was to try and ride Amade closer to the lead, but the gelding missed the start.

“We had this idea that we were going to go forward on him today and take the bull by the horns but that didn’t work out, so Zac went to plan B and it worked out beautifully,” Stokes said.

“He’s a horse who we’ve always thought had nice talent and it is good to get the win on the board.”

Spain said he could sense Amade was going to miss the start after First Immortal lunge at the barriers just before the start.

“He’s a very tricky horse,” Spain said.

“He’s definitely got a mind of his own, that’s for sure, and his last couple of starts he’s actually been jumping which has been his issue a couple of preps ago.

“He got into a bad habit missing the starts by between six and ten lengths, and I knew he wasn’t going to jump today.

“He was very laidback in there and I went ‘no he’s not going to jump’.

“So, we went to Plan B and rode him quiet. He was absolutely bolting to the corner, and he just needed the run and when the run came, he sprinted well.”

More Racing News

Skybird scores emphatic G1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes win

The Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning was expected to be a showcase for three-year-old colts, but it was the fillies who stole the show in the 1000m sprint at Flemington. Chris Waller’s Switzerland was the clear $2.45 favourite with betting apps, while Growing Empire was also well-supported at $3.80. Despite their strong...

Yesterday

Lady Shenandoah brilliant in G2 Light Fingers Stakes return

Lady Shenandoah made a stunning return to racing, claiming victory in the Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick in dominant fashion, setting up a potential clash with her undefeated stablemate, Autumn Glow. Although she won by 1-1/4 lengths over Golden Slipper champion Lady Of Camelot, her effortless acceleration suggested there was more...

Yesterday

Fangirl upstages star pair in G2 Apollo Stakes

The Group Two Apollo Stakes was billed as a battle between Cox Plate winner Via Sistina and emerging star Ceolwulf, but it was the experienced Fangirl who stole the show with a dominant performance at Randwick. As the favored pair kept close tabs on each other, Jason Collett seized the opportunity...

Yesterday

Sepals races into G1 Australian Guineas contention

A potential move to Hong Kong fell through for Sepals after failing a vet test, but that setback may turn into an opportunity for Group 1 glory in Australia. Interest in the talented gelding surged after his maiden win at Sale last month, with further offers coming in following his triumph...

Yesterday

2025 Golden Slipper dream alive for connections of Shaggy

Wyong trainer Allan Kehoe was so ecstatic after Shaggy’s dominant win in the Listed Pierro Plate at Randwick that he nearly celebrated in unconventional fashion. “I was that excited, I could have done a nude run,” Kehoe laughed. His excitement was well justified as the two-year-old produced a powerful front-running display, shifting...

Yesterday

Begg’s mare Magic in the Expressway Stakes

The script didn’t go to plan, but Magic Time still kicked off her autumn campaign in style, unleashing a blistering turn of foot to claim the Expressway Stakes at Randwick. The Grahame Begg-trained mare didn’t begin as sharply as expected, settling worse than midfield and finding herself boxed in with nowhere...

Yesterday

Colts share honours in Talindert Stakes at Flemington

The Lindsay Park team and the training partnership of Anthony and Sam Freedman shared the spoils in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington, with both stables now weighing up a tilt at Victoria’s richest two-year-old race at Caulfield next week. The Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) is firmly on...

Yesterday

Freedman still learning about European sprinter ahead of Expressway Stakes

Michael Freedman openly acknowledges that he remains uncertain about what to expect from his latest acquisition, Givemethebeatboys, as the former European sprinter prepares for his Australian debut in theExpressway Stakes at Randwick. While imported racehorses have become a common sight in Australian racing, most are typically middle-distance or staying types rather...

Feb 14th

Unbeaten Baker filly ready to go Boom in the Light Fingers Stakes

Twelve months after Stefi Magnetica showcased her potential with an impressive fourth-place finish in the Light Fingers Stakes, trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping to unveil another rising star in the same event. Dance To The Boom is set to make her debut at Group level in Saturday’s edition of the fillies’...

Feb 14th

Ad Astra out to break maiden status

Trainer Michael Hickmott is hoping for a change of luck this Saturday as his promising filly Ad Astra continues to battle against unfavorable barrier draws. Set to contest the Sportsbet Fast Form Maiden Plate (1000m) on the Morphettville Parks track, Ad Astra has once again landed a wide gate. However, Hickmott...

Feb 14th