Huge upset in Cox Plate
October 25, 2003
COMEBACK galloper Fields Of Omagh scored a shock win in today's $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, while trainer John Hawkes refused to make any excuse for the defeat of odds-on favourite Lonhro.
Rubiton six-year-old Fields Of Omagh gave Lindsay Park trainer Tony McEvoy only his second Group One winner in his third season at the helm of the famous training establishment.
Fields Of Omagh ran fifth to Northerly in the race last year but was backing up after a tough run for second behind the West Australian champion in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) a week earlier.
The gelding broke down for the second time in a suspensory ligament when fifth to Northerly in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March and had a much lighter preparation going into this year's Cox Plate.
Fields Of Omagh ran last first-up in the Dubai Racing Club Cup (1400m) at Caulfield but the decision was made to tackle the Cox Plate after he ran on strongly to finish runner-up to Roman Arch in the Toorak Hcp (1600m) at Caulfield two weeks ago.
"He's shown so much courage to come back from injury," an emotional McEvoy said.
"He returned such great sectionals in the Toorak and pulled up so sound that we thought we'd have a crack (at the Cox Plate)."
Jockey Steven King said he had discussed race tactics yesterday with McEvoy and some of the gelding's connections.
"We decided to go forward and sit in the box seat and the race worked out to plan," King said.
"I got going a bit earlier than usual on him."
King was having only his second ride on Fields Of Omagh, having ridden him in the Toorak.
"It (the Cox Plate) is the best race in Australia," he said.
One of Fields Of Omagh's owners is Sport 927 race caller Bryan Martin who is also the course commentator at Moonee Valley and manager of the No Big Deal Syndicate which part-races the bay with four others including the horse's breeder and racing accountant Martin O'Connor.
"It was the hardest call ever," said a delighted Martin.
"I cannot believe it. We've really battled with this horse."
While Fields Of Omagh landed his first Group One win and scored his 10th victory from 25 starts, Lonhro was beaten for the first time in a weight-for-age race since finishing sixth in last year's Cox Plate.
Jockey Darren Beadman was not able to deliver on the promise he made to the late Jack Ingham that he would win the Cox Plate on Lonhro who was sent out the 4-7 favourite.
Rain fell during the race and Fields Of Omagh (16-1) appreciated the slightly damp surface and held out last year's runner-up Defier (10-1) by a neck with Lonhro a half-length away third.
"I'm not disappointed, he had his chance. The winner was too good," Hawkes said.
"He had a lovely run. He's going to the paddock now.
"He didn't hit the line as good as usual."
Hawkes refused to find an excuse with the Moonee Valley track or the StrathAyr surface.
"That's life. Either you handle it or you don't," Hawkes said.
"The track was fine. I don't like making excuses.
"He just wasn't good enough on the day.
"Fields Of Omagh is a good horse and had been chasing home Northerly a lot last season. It was his day."
McEvoy said that Fields Of Omagh could back up next Saturday in the $500,000 McKinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington or wait for the $500,000 Sandown Classic (2400m) on November 15.
He is also nominated for the Hong Kong Mile (1600m) and the Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in December.
Melbourne Cup hope Zagalia ran on well from second last to finish fourth ahead of the second favourite Clangalang who failed to quicken, with Shower Of Roses finishing sixth, Natural Blitz seventh and South African mare Paraca, who made the pace, dropping out to finish a long last.
