The man who loves nothing more than winning Australia’s major staying races added Saturday’s Sydney Cup to his Melbourne Cup to claim the only two Group One races left over 3200m metres.
The Lloyd Williams-owned Green Moon took out the showpiece Melbourne Cup, while stablemate Mourayan made up for his spring failure in an easier assignment at Randwick.
Mourayan finished seventh to Green Moon at Flemington, but he appreciated the lesser opposition – and a brilliant ride from Hugh Bowman.
The former European was sent out at $12, with Kelinni the $2.60 favourite.
But Kelinni’s trademark sprint was missing over the final 400 metres and it was left to Mourayan to overhaul Norsqui ($21) and Aliyana Tilde ($16).
Norsqui, winner of the Adelaide Cup (3200m) which was downgraded to Group Two in recent years, held second, three-quarters of a length from the winner with Aliyana Tilde a half head third.
As usual, Williams stayed at home, but his son and partner Nick was on hand for the family’s third Sydney Cup after Gallic (2007) and Major Drive (1987).
“It’s fantastic,” Williams said.
“Hugh was very confident before the race and summed up the race.
“He’s the best jockey in Australia and showed why.
“It’s great to be here and be part of the carnival at Randwick with the new grandstand and all that goes with it.”
Bowman also rode Mourayan last week when the horse ran fourth to Kelinni in the Chairman’s Quality.
He thought the blinkers should come off and Lloyd Williams agreed.
“I started riding him this time last year,” Bowman said.
“I thought so much of him I got down to 53-1/2 kilograms for the Melbourne Cup, so to win a race like this on him means a lot.
“He wasn’t quite up to the Melbourne Cup in the spring, but he travelled so well without the blinkers today.
“It’s a great feeling.”
The win was Bowman’s fifth Group One for the autumn carnival and second on the final day.
He won the Chipping Norton Stakes on Shoot Out, the Vinery Stud on Norzita, the BMW on Fiveandahalfstar and Reliable Man in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Norsqui’s trainer Walter McShane was proud of his horse.
“It was his first time right handed and he was great,” McShane said of the Tasmanian gelding.
“I don’t know where we go from here. He’s probably going to get a lot more weight in these races now.
“We’ll go home and think about it.”
Maluckyday, runner-up in the 2010 Melbourne Cup, and his stablemate Niwot, last year’s Sydney Cup winner, finished seventh and ninth respectively.
Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said both were getting on in years which had told.
“There’s something missing that was there a month ago,” he said.
“They are just old horses.”
