West Wind Blows, who started a $5.50 favourite in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), was narrowly denied, by a former stablemate no less, but co-trainer Ed Crisford was upbeat after the race despite the loss.
Crisford, who trains in partnership with his father Simon, brought Without A Fight to Australia for last year’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) where he finished 13th before transferring to the care of Anthony & Sam Freedman so it was bittersweet seeing their former horse run down West Wind Blows.
“Without A Fight’s a very good horse and just came on the last and beat us. Two very good horses. Delighted with the run, couldn’t be happier really, bar winning,” Crisford said.
West Wind Blows was afforded a good run in the race despite missing the start and loomed up strongly in the straight, at which point Crisford dared to dream.
“He jumped very slow, originally I was a bit worried how he jumped but they were going quite quick into the first bend and it was a good pace so I thought we were quite happy and Jamie (Spencer) rode a fantastic race, he just angled out, he came into it up the straight I thought ‘right we could win this.”
Without A Fight won seven races, including two listed races and one Group 3 in the UK under the Crisford’s care so Ed knew better than anyone he would be hard to beat.
“I knew Without A Fight’s a battler and I know what he’s got under his bonnet so it’s just nice to see them both do so well, it was fantastic.”
West Wind Blows, who also ran second in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at his first Australian run, could well have another start here, with the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 11 touted as a potential target before possible options in Asia and the middle east.
