Light Infantry Man edged out Pride Of Jenni in a thrilling finish to win the Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding, ridden by Harry Coffey, got his nose in front on the line to score by a nose from the crowd favourite. Apulia finished third, a length behind, while the $2.50 favourite Birdman weakened to fifth.
Maher prepared the quinella of the 2000m contest and praised both horses. He said Light Infantry Man is a unique horse that needs to be ridden in a certain fashion, and credited regular rider Ethan Brown, who is suspended, for providing insights to Coffey. Coffey received a text from Brown on Saturday morning advising him to give the horse a warm-up to the gates due to the wet track.
Pride Of Jenni, ridden by Declan Bates, set a strong pace as usual and fought back after being challenged by Birdman with 400m to go. Bates described the mare as a warrior, saying he had never asked so much of a horse. Maher noted that Pride Of Jenni's strong pace suited Light Infantry Man, as it did in last year's Australian Cup.
Maher had considered a trip to Sydney for the Tancred Stakes but opted for the Australian Cup, which he described as a spectacular race. He expressed pride in both his horses and hinted that Pride Of Jenni might return next year.
