A super run and a super ride saw a maiden performer in Shamus Award, and apprentice Chad Schofield, combine to win racing’s prestigious prize, the Cox Plate.

At least he wasn’t your average maiden performer, his form line was far from forlorn, from nine starts he had finished among the placegetters seven times, with five of those placings at Black Type level.

Furthermore, he was not your average outsider, Foreteller, who had claimed a victory over Puissance De Lune in the Makybe Diva Stakes started at the same price $ 21.

The race suffered a severe blow; the magical theatre of the race was missing with the unfortunate scratching of Atlantic Jewel, as if the leading lady failed to show up on the opening night.

However, the Cox Plate win, shared by Flemington trainer, Danny O’Brien, and a highly promising young jockey in Chad Schofield, he was unfazed by the occasion.

“He has always been a high class colt, after we drew a good gate our confidence soared, a few things didn’t go his way in the Guineas and the Stutt Stakes, he was in great order, he had the perfect preparation to go to the 2040 metres with 49.5 on his back, he was going to be aggressive with Chad giving him a peach of a ride,” said Danny O’Brien.

“He controlled the tempo for the first half and was able to quicken the pace thereafter, with a head to spare when the post was reached, is all that matters,” he added.

Shamus Award winning the Cox Plate 

After drawing a good barrier and beginning well it didn’t take long for Schofield to get his mount one off the fence, passing the winning post the first time round.

Puissance De Lune was prominent as was Long John, Fiorente had been able to get over quickly from his wide gate but It’s A Dundeel didn’t enjoy the same luck, he was in no man’s land going out of the straight.

It was now a matter of how long Shamus Award could control the traffic, Super Cool had taken up a handy position with Blake Shinn giving Fiorente the run of the race, Puissance De Lune was now back in the ruck and It’s A Dundeel was still wide out with the job in front of him.

Positions didn’t alter to any extent, Shamus Award continued to hold sway, he was never headed at any stage, he travelled well as if he was in his comfort zone.

The odds were always going to be against the favourite, It’s A Dundeel, he drew wide and that is where he was going to be, he never saw the rail at any stage.

Puissance De Lune reefed and pulled early, once he stopped pulling he stopped racing, he was short in his action on returning to scale and may well have run his last race.

There was only one genuine hard luck story to come out of the race, had Happy Trails secured a run sooner than he did, the result may have been reversed.

Chad Schofield was riding the perfect race for one so young; having his first ride in the Cox Plate, on returning to scale his master, David Hayes, gave him the seal of approval.

Danny O'Brien and Chad Schofield with the coveted trophy