3 minute read

Sunday winner Imacruiser gave jockey Danny Beasley a special feeling when he came from the clouds to snare the $75,000 Goodwill Stakes, a Class 3 Division 1 race over 1200m.

The last-to-first winning style certainly gave the Australian rider a rush but it was the loyalty shown by the connections on this horse that had him enthusing at the winner's circle.

“One of the part-owners brought the horse to Michael (Freedman) and it's him who has been sticking solid with me,” said Beasley.

“The majority shareholders (Joy N Happiness Stable) normally get Joao (Moreira) for their horses but I'm glad they have me on this one.

“I've worked with this horse for a while and I'm glad he's finally won a good race. There were some question marks whether he could handle the wet track but to my surprise, he seemed to enjoy it.

“That's the best way to ride this horse. Switch him off and ride him cold.

“Coming to the home turn, he was a little awkward in his action but once he found daylight, he just stretched out so well for me.”

After bringing up the rear, Imacruiser ($55), a five-year-old by Akhadan racing in the Northern Lion colours under the Heng Heng Stable banner, started to circle the field to be within striking distance at the top of the straight.

Pacemaker Benji's Empire (Matthew Kellady) was at the end of his tether, leaving the swoopers to play out the finish – one at a time - in the final furlong. Favourite Wojcinski (Joao Moreira) loomed up as the first chance as he hit the lead at the top of the straight, but could not quite sustain his run.

My Friend Jo (John Powell) then took over at the 100m and was being hailed the winner but Brunei Royal (Barend Vorster) soon collared him at the 50m.

The day however belonged to Freedman, Beasley and Imacruiser who came with the strongest burst on the outside to get up by half-a-length. In a photo finish for second, Brunei Royal nosed out My Friend Jo. The winning time was 1min 12.32secs.

While Imacruiser's win – his second only in 16 starts - caught a few by surprise, Freedman had an inkling of a forward showing on Sunday.

“I actually told the owners before the race that I genuinely thought he was in the best form he has ever been for a while,” said Freedman who was at a winning treble having earlier saddled two winners in Super Spur and Rush.

“But when the rain came, I was not so sure as he had no previous form on a soft track. That dampened my enthusiasm.

“But he ran very well and it was also a great ride by Danny who does a lot of work on him. I'm very happy for him.”