Motorace takes pole in the Cranbourne Classic

Ben Brisbourne may have a nice staying three-year-old on his hands after $15 chance Motorace was able to lead all of the way in the Cranbourne Classic (2025m) under Craig Newitt.

A last start winner of a Class 1 at Albury, the Denman gelding was afforded every chance by Newitt, controlling the tempo and gradually building revs around the turn which saw him hold on to win by half a length over Sentimental Flame ($7) with a further 1-¼ lengths back to Hydrogen Power ($4.80) in third.

Brisbourne’s patience was rewarded, having highlighted this race as a nice target in the gelding’s first preparation, suggesting there could be bigger targets next time in.

“He’s a lovely horse. He’s always been a real pleasure to deal with and Trilogy have been really patient. We gave him loads of time as a two-year-old, a nice education,” Brisbourne said.

“We always had this race in the back of our minds as the Grand Final for the preparation as we thought he would be a really nice stayer. He’s proved it today.”

Brisbourne identified a potential tilt at the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) in May next year for Motorace, a race that Dunkel for Patrick Payne won last year after being beaten at $1.80 in the Cranbourne Classic six months earlier.

“The horse will continue to improve with more time. We might have to go and have a look at Paddy Payne did with Dunkel from this race onwards last year and make a bit of a plan,” Brisbourne said.

The $2.25 favourite for the race was Warmonger, who conceded between six and nine kilograms to his rivals and struggled to make inroads after settling near the tail of the field, beaten 4.5 lengths in sixth.

Michael Kent Jnr, who trains in partnership with Mick Price, was disappointed in the run of Warmonger, who will now head to the paddock.

“Obviously we were too far off them, race shape wise but Damian (Lane) also said from the get-go he never really gave him the feel that he was on today… he wanted to hang off the final bend and make things difficult… definitely he’ll be having a spell and looking forward to the Autumn with him,” Kent Jnr said.