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Golden Day At The Valley
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Moonee Valley racecourse welcomed in the first Group 1 of spring in exciting
fashion, with Gold Edition winning the Manikato Stakes with sizzling speed.
But it was the showdown between boom gallopers El Segundo and Haradasun in the
Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes that stole the show, in an epic battle that sets the scene in the build up to the Cox Plate.
Activation set a cracking pace in the Dato Tan, with Cinque Cento sitting just behind,
and El Segundo and Haradasun both about midfield. El Segundo was the first to make a move about 600m
out but Tony Vasil's number 1 racehorse went right with him.
In the straight Cinque Cento took over from the fading Activation, but the two favourites
were tracking up behind. The pair ate up the ground almost in unison, with less than half a length
separating both horses the entire stretch of the Moonee Valley straight.
They passed the line together in what looked like a dead heat, but El Segundo was given
the photo decision by a nose. It was a classic race, and sets up what will hopefully be an
amazing Cox Plate in a few weeks time.
Back to the Group 1 Manikato, and Ronny Maund's super sprinter Gold Edition proved too good
for his rivals, returning to form with a very impressive win in the 1200m race. Roughie Vormista
stormed home for second, with Dr Nipandtuck continuing its good run to finish third.
Greg Childs guided Antartic Miss to victory in the Champagne Stakes, beating it's more
credentialed rivals Bel Mer, Gladwell and Arcadia.
And in the Cranes Stakes, Devil Moon made it back to back wins with a big
effort despite the wide gate. Stuck three wide most of the race, Devil Moon was fearless,
proving too strong for Brom Felinity, Hidden Strings and Cancanelle.
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