British raider Charlie Appleby has collected another Bendigo Cup with the fighting win of Qewy.
The Godolphin trainer first made his name in Australia last spring winning five races from 10 starters including the Bendigo Cup with Francis Of Assisi.
Qewy won last year’s Geelong Cup and Sandown Cup and added Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup (2400m) to his record.
Appleby has now won six Cup races in Australia with Polarisation winning the Sydney Cup at Randwick in April and Folkswood the Cranbourne Cup last month.
Appleby’s travelling foreman Chris Connett said it was a great result to return to Bendigo after last year’s victory.
“There was a couple of moments where my heart was in my mouth but he stays all day,” Connett told broadcaster racing.com.
“The guys that have come down have really flourished and in the last couple of weeks Qewy’s really started to blossom.”
Connett said a decision on whether Qewy runs in next week’s Melbourne Cup, a race he ran fourth in last year, would be left up to Appleby.
“We’ll make sure he pulls up fine first,” Connett said.
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Qewy ($2.50) settled fourth in the seven-horse field before defeating the $2.40 favourite Kiwia by a half-neck with Foundry ($9.50) 4-1/4 lengths away third.
McEvoy rode Qewy to win at Geelong and Sandown last year and said it was nice to see him successful again.
“It will be a big call to run him in the Cup and that will be up to Charlie, but he’s got to be a top ten chance in the race,” McEvoy said.
“He lacks a bit of brilliance but stays well and tries hard.”
