Former Perth galloper Cosmic Crusader has made an immediate impact on the eastern seaboard, winning the final Stakes race of the season at Caulfield.
Having his first start for the Andrea Leek stable, Cosmic Crusader took out the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, his first outing since finishing second in the Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot in December.
That Ascot performance came a week after Cosmic Crusader took out the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m).
With Daniel Stackhouse aboard and sent out a well-supported $3.60 favourite, Cosmic Crusader ran out a 2-½ length winner from Winnasedge ($4.20) with Recommendation ($7.50) a further 1-½ lengths back in third place.
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Leek thanked owner Bob Peters for sending Cosmic Crusader to her Pakenham stable and supplying the trainer with her first Stakes success.
“The Peters family (have been great), especially Bob for giving me this horse, entrusting me with him, it’s fantastic,” Leek said.
“I have to give a little shout-out to Tom Ahern. He had a little wind procedure when he was out spelling and that has worked.
“I was happy where he was back in the run. I was thrilled when he got that cover for a short amount of time.
“He (Stackhouse) rode him to get further distance, he rode him to win and I couldn’t be happier.”
Leek said she would speak to Peters to confirm plans regarding Cosmic Crusader, but the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 15 and the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), also at Caulfield two weeks later, would likely be considered.
Stackhouse described Cosmic Crusader as a “beautiful” horse while at the same time quirky.
“As soon as I sat on him and cantered down, he dropped his head and gave me a beautiful feel,” Stackhouse said.
“He’s a bit of a quirky sort of horse though. He can lose his marbles a little bit, but as soon as we got a man behind the gates with him, he settled nice.
“I rode him where he was comfortable and I was always happy to go up on the inside.
“He switches off at the right time and when you ask him to go, he can accelerate very fast.
“He’s got a lot better races to win than this, but it’s a nice race to win for the team.”
