Cosmic Crusader wins $6 million Cox Plate

Shayne Hope |

Horse racing fans at Flemington have braved the weather and seen Cosmic Cruasder win the Cox Plate.
Horse racing fans at Flemington have braved the weather and seen Cosmic Cruasder win the Cox Plate.

Andrea Leek felt like an “imposter” after upstaging some of racing’s biggest names when Cosmic Crusader won a historic edition of the $6 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Flemington.

Cosmic Crusader stormed home with popular jockey Willie Pike on board under dark skies on Saturday, winning the nation’s weight-for-age championship for prominent owner-breeder Bob Peters.

Master trainer Chris Waller was narrowly denied what would have been a record-equalling seventh victory in the race as a trainer, with Birdman and pre-race favourite Aeliana filling the minor placings.

Leek became the third female trainer to win the Cox Plate and first from Australia, while the legendary Gai Waterhouse’s pursuit of the elusive major title continues after one-time favourite Sir Delius was overrun in the straight.

“This will take a bit of time (to sink in). I feel like an imposter,” Leek told Seven.

Cosmic Crusader’s fighting victory drew parallels with fellow Western Australian horse Northerly’s back-to-back triumphs in 2001-02.

Racing
Gai Waterhouse’s wait to win the Cox Plate continues. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

The six-year-old gelding has enjoyed a dazzling Melbourne campaign with four wins in seven starts, including Group 1 victories in the Turnbull Stakes and Cox Plate.

“He just turns up every day,” Leek said.

“He’d improved from last week … and I was a bit worried without the rain, but what a ride from Willie and what a horse.”

Pike is the first WA-based jockey to win the Cox Plate and has ridden Cosmic Crusader in his past six starts, including fourth in the Caulfield Cup in his previous start.

Racing
This year’s Cox Plate day was at Flemington Racecourse, as Moonee Valley undergoes a redevelopment. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

“I don’t ever dream of winning these races because I always thought it was too far to reach,” Pike told Seven.

“I left last week a little disappointed, but he’s backed up.

“He’s come off their backs, I knew he was a chance, I rode better, I was calmer through the first half to the top of the straight and he was strong through the line.

“Thanks so much to the whole team. He’s just so good.”

The 150th Cox Plate was moved from its traditional home at Moonee Valley this year while the venue undergoes a major redevelopment.

AAP