It was a case of deja vu for trainer John Thompson and jockey Jim Cassidy as the pair combined to win the Randwick City Stakes for the second year in a row in almost identical circumstances.
In 2011, Cassidy produced a rails-hugging ride on a wet track to get Saint Encosta home in the 2000m Listed race and a year later Maules Creek was the victor.
While Nash Rawiller went wide on the track with race leader Herculian Prince ($4.20 fav), Cassidy took the short way home on Maules Creek ($7.50) to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Permit ($4.40) made ground late to finish another length away, edging comeback veteran Fiumicino ($51) for third.
“It was a great ride by Jimmy,” Patinack Farm trainer Thompson said.
“I was close to scratching the horse because I don’t think he handles the wet.
“But he is going that well I left him in. He’s fit and there’s another similar race in a couple of weeks so I thought he might as well run.
“Jimmy did the same thing last year on Saint Encosta.
“I admit I was a bit worried about the fence but I shouldn’t doubt Jimmy.”
The Wagga Cup in May is also a possible target for Maules Creek who Thompson said was at his best at around 2000 metres although he has been entered for the BMW (2400m) on April 7.
The BMW is also an aim for Herculian Prince and Fiumucino, winner of the race in 2009.
The eight-year-old spent more than two years away from the races with leg injuries but co-trainer Michael Hawkes said he was on the right track.
“He went super,” Hawkes said.
“Carrying 60 kilos on that ground, it was a big effort.
“He is getting his fitness back and the rain helped.
“He is an old warhorse and is going to try to win the BMW again.”
