Vase reward as Red Cadeaux finally delivers a Group One success
The six-year-old has hit the bar a couple of times at the highest level, most notably when suffering a heartbreaking nose defeat in the Melbourne Cup last year before moving on to Hong Kong where he finished a close third in this race.
However, Ed Dunlop’s charge enjoyed a reversal of fortune this time as he lifted the mile-and-a-half prize in the hands of Gerald Mosse.
Johnny Murtagh set out to make all aboard the William Haggas-trained Dancing Rain and he began to wind up the pace at the three-furlong marker.
However, they were lining up in behind to challenge with Mosse producing Red Cadeaux alongside Jaguar Mail well over a furlong out.
The Japanese runner went with Red Cadeaux as Mosse tried to kick on, but Dunlop’s raider dug deep and clung on to victory by a short head.
French challenger Meandre stuck on for third, a further half a length away, while Dancing Rain faded out of contention in the finish along with Dunaden.
“He deserved this win – three pixels in the Melbourne Cup last year, no pace in the Melbourne Cup this year and he got struck into in the Japan Cup and we should have finished sixth; he was the leading European horse there. It’s a fantastic day for everyone,” said Dunlop.
“At the 200-metre mark I thought we were going to get beaten by Jaguar Mail, but Gerald (Mosse) gave him a great ride and he was in the right place. The horse battled very hard today.
“This is our third victory here and winning races like this is what it’s all about for me.
“We’ve been lucky to have great owners and great horses to come here. To win three races, Ouija Board (Vase 2005), Snow Fairy (Cup 2010) and now Red Cadeaux — I’m pinching myself to think he’s now won a Group One over a mile and half.
“He’s come through the handicap system and he gets better and better – he’s a really tough horse.
“I hope the Melbourne Cup handicapper isn’t listening to this! We may consider Dubai next as an option, there’s the staying race but we’ll probably look at the Sheema Classic now.”
Carlton House signed off his career with Sir Michael Stoute with a sixth-place finish behind California Memory in the Longines Hong Kong Cup.
The four-year-old will now join Gai Waterhouse’s team in Australia after enduring a less than perfect passage in the 10-furlong contest.
Ryan Moore was tracking the eventual winner on the rail in the early stages but got shuffled towards the back of the pack when the pace upped a notch.
Carlton House kept on for sixth but the Tony Cruz-trained California Memory had flown, with only French raider Giofra emerging from the pack to claim second with Australian runner Alcopop in third.
Moore was reluctant to offer any excuse for Carlton House’s defeat, he said: “He wasn’t good enough today really, but the ground was plenty quick enough for him.”
However, Soumillon felt Giofra could have been closer still granted a better draw.
He said: “Had we got a better draw, we would have won the race. The winner took off when we were still struggling to get out of there and by the time I could go, we were six lengths back. However she showed that she was up to the task and hopefully could emulate Pride, that is come back here and win the Cup!”
