Harris Park - Sydney Cup

NZ Herald.co.nz
3:59 AM Monday Apr 26, 2010

Cambridge trainer Murray Baker is plotting another Melbourne Cup campaign with Harris Tweed after history failed to repeat itself during the Sydney Cup at Randwick on Saturday.

Hoping to emulate his success with owner Phil Bayly and add another Sydney Cup to their 1992 triumph with My Eagle Eye the duo, instead, had to settle for a bold third as Jessicabeel won the A$400,000 ($523,500) feature race to become prolific sire Zabeel's 41st group one winner.

Michael Rodd kept Harris Tweed well placed in the 11-horse field until Jessicabeel and outsider Divine Rebel skipped clear on the final turn of the 3200m journey.

One of the pre-race favourites ($5), Jessicabeel won by three-quarters of a length while Harris Tweed was a length further back in third, mirroring their placings in the Chairman's Handicap (2600m) lead-up race at Randwick two weeks ago.

Although the mare seems to have Harris Tweed's measure, Baker and Bayly, 87, were relishing the opportunity to turn the tables in November at Flemington, where they will hope to improve on last year's fifth placing.

"I'm pretty happy with the run, I thought he'd be in the first three or four," said Baker, who pointed out Harris Tweed was lumped with 56.5kg in comparison with Jessicabeel (52kg) and Divine Rebel (53kg).


"He was giving weight to the other two, they had the pull on him there."

Baker also felt another six months' maturity would have Harris Tweed capable of exceeding the achievements of this Randwick campaign when he next crossed the Tasman.

"Physically, another six months is really going to make him," Baker said.

"He's a big lanky horse and I think 5-year-old will be his go. We'll get him to Melbourne in the spring."

Harris Tweed, a close second in the AJC Derby at Randwick on his trip here last year, collected A$40,000 for his third in the Sydney Cup to top A$100,000 on this three-race excursion.

"He's done well this time," Baker said of a schedule that opened with a sixth in the BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 3.

However, his third placing yesterday left Honor Babe as the Sydney Cup's last New Zealand-based winner in 2003.

It also ensured New Zealand did not secure a group one victory for the duration of the Autumn Carnival.

Awapuni trainer Jeff Lynds' quest for a first group one victory in Australia since his first foray in 1995 ended when Vosne Romanee wound up fourth in the A$350,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

The dominant weight-for-age performer in New Zealand this season raced on well in his Australian debut but could not keep pace with Road To Rock, Triple Honour and Monaco Consul.