Beautiful Romance lands Zipping to cap super day for Godolphin

Quayclean Zipping Classic (Group 2) | 1m4f | 3yo+

It has been a bountiful Spring Carnival in Melbourne for Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed's global powerhouse was at it again on Saturday as three different trainers all landed stakes races at Sandown.

Race result

Leading the way was Beautiful Romance, trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, who landed the Group 2 Zipping Classic under Glyn Schofield in a three-way photo finish with Big Orange and Almoonqith.

A furlong out, Beautiful Romance didn't look like she would be anywhere near at the finish, let alone be the winner, but she was bought with a sustained run by Schofield to overhaul the gallant Big Orange and flash past the post with Almoonqith. The filly got the verdict by a short head..

Beautiful Romance finished seventh in the Melbourne Cup last time and Schofield said: "She is really tough and her Melbourne Cup run showed that when she knuckled over at the start, then picked herself up off the canvas to run a creditable race. I think it was fitting she won today."

Also on Saturday

Ladbrokes Sandown Cup (Listed) | 2m | 3yo+

The remarkable Charlie Appleby-trained Qewy ended his stay in Australia with yet another win as he made all under Kerrin McEvoy to take this prize.

Race result

Brought down in a handicap hurdle in April, Qewy has been a revelation since joining the stable of Charlie Appleby and his Australian adventure has resulted in him winning the Geelong Cup and finishing a close fourth in the Melbourne Cup.

James Ferguson, assistant to Appleby, said: "The Melbourne Cup took a bit out of him, but he was still too good today. He's such a good horse, genuine and brave."

Qewy now returns home to Newmarket alongside Appleby's other Australian stars Francis Of Assisi, Oceanographer and Scottish

"I can't tell you how proud the whole team is of him and our other horses," Ferguson added. "They've all run their hearts out."

Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas (Group 2) | 1m | 3yo

A memorable day for Godolphin was completed by the victory of Morton's Fork meaning Saeed Bin Suroor, Charlie Appleby and John O'Shea had all won stakes races on the same card – a unique feat for the operation.

Race result

Challenging from the rear and widest of all, Morton's Fork, ridden by Craig Williams, looked to be going nowhere until finally kicking in the turbochargers in the final furlong to score by a short head.

O'Shea's Melbourne foreman David Charles told racing.com:"John's had a really good opinion of him. We're very happy with the way he's trained since he's come to Melbourne. He was unlucky at Caulfield and was super at Flemington. We expected him to run well today, and he delivered."