Polarisation wins rescheduled Sydney Cup for Appleby

Report: Australia

Randwick: Schweppes Sydney Cup (Group 1 Handicap) | 2m | 3yo+ | Turf

Charlie Appleby and Godolphin belatedly got their hands on the Sydney Cup after Polarisation, ridden by Corey Brown, stayed on gamely to register victory in the A$2 million Randwick feature.

Polarisation had passed the post first in the Sydney Cup a fortnight ago but the stewards declared a 'no-race' on safety grounds after Almoonqith and Who Shot Thebarman fell.

Who Shot Thebarman – showing no ill effects from the incident two weeks ago – provided a stern late challenge to Polarisation inside the final furlong, but the Godolphin runner stuck to his task well to gain belated compensation and provide Appleby with a first Group 1 winner in Australia and a change in fortune after his Gold Trail sustained a fatal injury last month.

Appleby said: "I'm delighted. James [Ferguson, son of Godolphin chief executive John] and the team out there did a great job to keep him so fresh and well after what happened two weeks ago.

"We'd been having a frustrating time in Sydney but were confident he would do well.

"That's my first Group 1 winner in Australia and my first Group 1 winner of the year, so I'm delighted.

"It was a great success and now we're looking forward to bringing him to the Melbourne Cup later in the year."