Any doubts over the ability of More Joyous to run 2000 metres were emphatically put to bed when she exploded away from a top-class field to add the Queen Elizabeth Stakes to her Doncaster Mile triumph.
On a day when Black Caviar scored her 20th win in Adelaide and both Pierro and Atlantic Jewel lived up to their hype at Randwick, More Joyous held up her end of the bargain as Sydney’s pin-up mare.
In a field billed as worthy of a Cox Plate, Nash Rawiller took up the running aboard More Joyous.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained mare travelled well but looked to be under siege when a host of rivals mounted challenges rounding the home turn.
Rawiller knew what he had underneath him and More Joyous ($3.20) went up a gear, accelerating clear to score by 2-1/2 lengths over Manighar ($6) with Secret Admirer ($13) running on strongly for third.
“How about the way he rode her,” a jubilant Waterhouse said.
“I didn’t tell him anything, he just did it. He realised they’d probably all sit back and took control.
“The question was could she run the distance? Could she run the distance, she annihilated them.
“I just enjoy watching her. That was really special.”
The only other time More Joyous had tackled 2000m was in the 2010 Cox Plate when she finished fifth to So You Think who was at the peak of his powers.
Waterhouse has been trying to convince owner John Singleton to take More Joyous to Royal Ascot and the pair were in discussions about a possible trip to England after the Queen Elizabeth (2000m).
But it looks like More Joyous’ victory has all but ruled an overseas trip with Singleton having eyes only for the Cox Plate.
“The Cox Plate, I’ll never have another chance like this,” Singleton said.
“The most prizemoney is here and the most fun is here.
“I’ve taken three horses to Europe and they’ve never come back.
“She will go home tomorrow and come back in the spring. All the doubts about her running 2000 metres are gone.”
The Queen Elizabeth capped a remarkable carnival for Waterhouse and Rawiller who have combined for seven Group One wins this autumn.
Waterhouse has also led in a treble of stakes winners on each of the past five Saturdays.
“I think I’ve got to go home tonight and have a glass of wine and soak in what’s just happened. It’s been unbelievable,” Rawiller said.
