Irish bred entire, Adelaide, turned in a phenomenal performance, rarely seen, to win a memorable Cox Plate.

It all unfolded at the half way stage of the race when Irish rider Ryan Moore, threw caution to the winds in a bold bid to stake his claim in the prestigious Group 1 race.

Ryan Moore, who had only ridden twice in two previous rides at Moonee Valley, when he finished second on the Chris Waller trained Bull Point in race five on the program.

Call it a suicide a run if you wish but Ryan had no options at that stage, he had to go wide, there was no other avenue, at least he had an uninterrupted passage.

Adelaide wrote a new chapter into the race, it is now a global event, but don’t expect it to be easy pickings for raiders, it still has to be won and you need the horse with a touch of class.

The winner is a lightly raced four year old, having had just seven starts going into the Cox Plate, winning three times at Group level and filling four placings, his total stake earnings were $815,279.

In contrast the take home cheque for winning the Cox Plate was $1.8 million, and a $35,000 trophy to boot.

Illustrating our racing is firmly cemented on the world stage, but look out for the invasion, our prize money is looking very attractive to the international raiders.

The race was run free of interference; The Cleaner began well and was among the leaders turning out of the straight, but was covering a lot ground in his search looking for the rails.

Finally he got across but used a lot of gas in doing so; Adelaide was just biding his time, Ryan Moore was in no hurry at that stage.

Finish of the Cox Plate

There was gasp from the crowd when The Cleaner opened up a gap at the 800 metres corner, however, the challengers were beginning to appear, Nick Hall was riding the perfect race on the favourite, Fawkner, he was ready to strike, and in the distance the white cap of Ryan Moore began to get closer.

Fawkner looked like having them on a plate when he shot clear at the top of the straight; bookmakers were shuddering in their boots until the saviour, in the form of the Irish invader, appeared on the scene.

Fawkner was gallant in defeat, a great run and a great ride by Nick Hall, as for the others, Silent Achiever tried hard from a long back to finish third, Side Glance and Foreteller were not disgraced, while The Cleaner was honest to the core, as for the others little could be said.

Ryan Moore was jubilant in his praise of Adelaide saying, “he did it the hard way, I believe he brought his best form to Melbourne, he was the best horse in the race, he had to come from last and still won” 

Adelaide winning the Cox Plate