Stalking prey never more evident in Cup as Corey ambushes rival

THE priminal art of stalking your prey was never more evident than in the Melbourne Cup when Corey Brown and Rekindling hunted down Johannes Vermeer for victory.

THE primal art of stalking your prey was never more evident than in the Melbourne Cup when Corey Brown and Rekindling hunted down Johannes Vermeer to win.

According to leading Herald Sun racing analyst Michael Manley, Corey’s ride reflected the perfect ambush as Rekindling gained ascendancy over his rivals as the difference in weight told when it really mattered.

WINNING JOCKEY: COREY GLORY

FINISHING ORDER: WHERE YOUR HORSE CAME IN

DETTORI SLAMMED: ‘ALMANDIN BUTCHERED’

PUNTING TREASURE: PUNTER BECOMES MILLIONAIRE

1. THE START

Rekindling didn’t jump that well. Humidor in the middle of the field didn’t jump well. Bondi Beach from barrier one headed towards the fence. Johannes Vermeer jumped well.

The field heads out of the straight on the first occasion. Picture: Nicole Garmston

2. AFTER 300M

Boom Time has worked across to lead and is on the fence. Cismontane and Gallante also working across. In a surprise, Marmelo has taken up a forward spot and is fourth. Johannes Vermeer is sixth on the fence. Bondi Beach is midfield on the fence.

3. WINNING POST FIRST TIME

Cismontane has the distinction of leading the field at the winning post the first time from Gallante and they have cleared out from Boom Time. Marmelo is a clear fourth. Johannes Vermeer is fifth. Rekindling is 10th on the fence.

4. 2200M OUT

It’s still Cismontane by two lengths from Gallante with Boom Time third and Marmelo fourth, Johannes Vermeer is fifth. Rekindling is now 11th.

5. 1800M OUT

GALLANTE has got closer to CISMONTANE who still leads with BOOM TIME third and MARMELO fourth, JOHANNES VERMEER is fifth. REKINDLING is still midfield on the fence. TIBERIAN is making his move.

6. 600M OUT

Gallante is gone. It’s still Cismontane leading from Marmelo who is making his move. Boom Time is still third. Johannes Vermeer is also travelling well in fifth. Tiberian has continued his run to be fourth. Max Dynamite is also going well in seventh. Bondi Beach is following him through.

7. HOME TURN

Marmelo under hard riding led them into the straight from Johannes Vermeer who looked poised to pounce and was being followed through by his stablemate Rekindling. Tiberian was still there. Cismontane on the fence was starting to struggle. Max Dynamite also travelling well. Hartnell, Ventura Storm, Amelie’s Star and Single Gaze making their runs.

The field spreads out at 200m mark for the final run home to the post. Picture: Jason Edwards

8. 300M OUT

Johannes Vermeer bursts to the front and the race looks his. Rekindling still stalking him though. Max Dynamite also looks a threat. Marmelo still in the leading group but being pushed along. Almandin has lost contact with the leading group and is struggling.

Corey Brown (pink cap) and Rekindling overtake Johannes Vermeer to win the famous race. Picture: Nicole Garmston

9. WINNING POST

REKINDLING outstays JOHANNES VERMEER in the closing stages. MAX DYNAMITE battles away for third. BIG DUKE makes up ground for fourth with NAKEETA fifth.

Originally published as Stalking prey never more evident in Cup as Corey ambushes rival