Pat Cosgrave on cloud nine as Best Solution digs deep in Caulfield Cup

The record books will state Godolphin's Best Solution was victorious in the 2018 Stella Artois Caulfield Cup, but really it was Pat Cosgrave who won the race.

From a horror draw of 17, and with instructions to race prominently, his task was made all but impossible when his mount missed the break and was last out of the stalls, leaving the pair trapped five wide around the sharp first turn.

All hope looked lost, but as the field slowed up the Caulfield climb Cosgrave made up ground on the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained four-year-old, got tucked in fourth – one off the rail – and then put on the handbrake.

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From there he babysat his mount into the race before kicking early and stealing not just first run but first prize in the A$5 million (£2.7m/€3.1m) Group 1. It was a thing of beauty on a partner who was equal parts willing and class.

Homesman and The Cliffsofmoher came charging late, but it was just too late. They closed to a short head and a length and three-quarters in what will go down as one of the classic Cup finishes, with another Brit, Duretto – whose jockey Dwayne Dunn was bedecked in Union Jack-themed silks – a further length back in fourth for Andrew Balding.

The fifth and sixth, The Taj Mahal and Kings Will Dream, also started their careers in Europe, and on a stellar day for the overseas contingent only Red Verdon disappointed in 11th, having endured a nightmare passage.

Pat Cosgrave celebrates winning the Caulfield Cup on Best SolutionCredit: Racing Photos

An effervescent Cosgrave said: "He completely missed the gate, but Saeed was adamant he had to be in the first four or five and he was right. I had to work really hard to get there.

"At the furlong pole I thought I might have gone too soon, but he toughed it out. He’s a tough horse, he stays well and knows how to win. He doesn’t like getting beaten."

After the first bend Cosgrave did not think he would be winning.

"I was surprised I won just because of the work I had to do early on, everything went wrong from the word go, but good horses know how to win," he said.

"He likes when horses come to him, he fights hard; it’s all credit to the horse and the team, I shouldn’t take any plaudits."

It was Cosgrave’s second Group 1 win in three rides at Caulfield after partnering Benbatl last week and he quipped: "I’ve been worse places." Sporting possibly the world’s biggest grin, he added: "There’s nothing wrong with coming halfway across the world and winning a five-million-dollar race."

It was not just Cosgrave and Bin Suroor on cloud nine, the O’Brien camp were also delighted with the run of The Cliffsofmoher, or Cliffs Of Moher to give him his proper name – it had to be tweaked for the purposes of him running in Australia.

Jockey Hugh Bowman said: "We're really pleased with him. The race was run at an awfully slow pace, which didn't suit us, but I still got a nice run through and he produced when I wanted him to."

Anna Lisa Balding, wife of Duretto's trainer Andrew, said: "I'm thrilled. It’s all guns blazing for the Melbourne Cup now.

Melbourne Cup card and betting

"Our jockey gave him the most exceptional ride and when they came round the bend I thought, 'Here we go' because he's got a gear, but they crawled and it turned into a massive sprint. He needs a bit further so I think it was a great prep run."

Robin Trevor-Jones, travelling head groom to Red Verdon's trainer Ed Dunlop, said: "We’re gutted. He had no luck and when that happens what can you do? The slow pace didn’t really suit and he blew for only ten minutes afterwards; he’s had harder gallops at Werribee."

There was the slightest of sour notes for Cosgrave, who had picked up the spare ride for Aidan O’Brien on Fleet Review in Friday’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes but will have to miss it after incurring an 11-meeting careless riding ban.

He will be back for the ride on Best Solution in the Melbourne Cup on November 6, for which he is now a best-priced 12-1 with British and Irish bookmakers.

Handicapper Greg Carpenter could reassess him and administer a penalty for this performance, with a decision likely on Monday.

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