Jamie Kah shines on final day of Melbourne Cup Week but honours go to James McDonald and Chris Waller
Jamie Kah claimed the most wins during the Flemington carnival as James McDonald and Chris Waller clinched the jockey and trainer honours.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
James McDonald and Chris Waller sealed respective Melbourne Cup Carnival riding and training honours.
McDonald rode three winners, all Group 1s, the Victoria Derby, VRC Oaks and Champions Stakes, and placed on 11 occasions to poll 30 points and claim the Ron Hutchinson Award for the third straight year.
“Outstanding carnival,” McDonald said.
“It is a pleasure to be riding here at these four days. Magnificent. I love it so much.”
Star jockey Jamie Kah loomed as a threat on the final day of the carnival with an early treble to finish with 23 points, one ahead of Blake Shinn (22).
Kah finished the week with the most individual wins (six)
Legendary jockey Damien Oliver finished with 15 points, from three wins and four placings, in his final Melbourne Cup Carnival, while Tim Clark (14) rounded out the top five.
Waller made up for a “quiet week” with the Champions Stakes on the final day to finish with 17 points and leapfrog James Cummings (15) and Ciaron Maher and David Eustace (15).
Maher was thrilled to win a second Group 1 for the week with Pride Of Jenni completing the Empire Rose/Champions Mile double with bold all-the-way Declan Bates rides.
“It is what it is all about, Cup Week and training a Group 1 mare for a breeder, it doesn’t get much better,” Maher said.
Flemington hosted 58,021 people on Champions Stakes Day to take the total crowd figure across the four days to more than 262,000.
Victoria Racing Club set a goal of more than 250,000 prior to another bumper carnival.
“The 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival has delivered fantastic racing and everything that Flemington is synonymous for across fashion, food and entertainment,” VRC chief executive Steve Rosich said.
“It’s been phenomenal to welcome big crowds for each day of the carnival, including thousands of interstate and international visitors, and to finish on a high with elite racing under blue skies on TAB Champions Stakes Day.”
The Melbourne Spring Carnival returns to Caulfield next Saturday for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas and Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Kah times ride to perfection for treble
Star jockey Jamie Kah rated Deny Knowledge to perfection to claim the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Kah crossed runner-up Osmose about 250m into the race and would not be headed again despite a stern challenge late from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained mare.
The result sealed a treble for Kah and implemented a plan hatched by trainer Michael Kent to take the edge off Deny Knowledge last Saturday in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes.
“I’ve got to say that mid-race I thought we were going too slow,” Kent said.
“I said to Jamie 12, 12, 12, 12 (second 200m splits). She let her slow down to 12.8 but her strength is that she can maintain that gallop as long as she sits around that speed.
“Great to have Jamie on. She rode her last week and full of confidence, she was.”
Osmose loomed up to Deny Knowledge at the 300m and challenged boldly but could not get her nose in front at any stage as Kah kept her mount beautifully balanced under pressure
“I didn’t really care if one of Gai’s horses kicked up. I just wanted to ride her out,” Kah said.
“I was happy to cruise along outside of them. She relaxed and that really helped her. She’s a talented horse.
“After last start I thought she’d be really hard to beat.”
Favourite Deny Knowledge returned $3.70 with TAB.
Kah won the opening two races of the meeting with Watadeel and General Beau.
Originally published as Jamie Kah shines on final day of Melbourne Cup Week but honours go to James McDonald and Chris Waller
Pride Of Jenni crowned Australia’s top racehorse
After dazzling Australian racing with her bold frontrunning style, superstar mare Pride Of Jenni has been crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year in Adelaide on Tuesday night.
TJ Smith winner Chain Of Lightning retired
A Group 1-winning mare has been retired after a disappointing start to the spring carnival.