Lys Gracieux wins Ladbrokes W S Cox Plate, Group 1, $5,000,000 at Moonee Valley 2040m.
The Japanese mare Lys Gracieux stamped her class in no uncertain manner with a decisive victory in this Group 1 feature at her first start in Australia.
She settled nicely back in 11th place from her wide barrier, improved (wide out) from the 600m, went quickly to second on straightening and then lifted strongly to draw away over the final stages to score impressively.
The three-year-old colt Castelvecchio settled in seventh place, one off the rails, before improving smartly, out wide nearing the home turn.
He raced to the front on straightening, only to be overtaken by the classy winner at the 100m and then held on gamely for a very good second after running a bold race.
Te Akau Shark settled at the tail of the field from his outside barrier (14). He improved along the inner coming to the home turn and then kept fighting on in good style, along the rails, to take third.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained mare Magic Wand went to the front, fought back gamely when challenged from the 600m, holding on in the straight for (3.9 lengths) fourth at her first start in this country.
Mystic Journey had a nice trip in third place before improving coming to the home turn.
She then kept battling on well for (4.1 lengths) fifth. Kings Will Dream raced near the tail of the field, went deep rounding the home turn and the battled on quite well for (6.6 lengths) sixth.
