Kiwi raider Chocante improved off a failed run at Eagle Farm to hand jockey Jim Byrne a double on Stradbroke Handicap Day winning the last with a dominant all-the-way performance in the Brisbane Cup 2017.
Chocante was dominant in the 2017 Brisbane Cup at Doomben this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Prepared across the Tasman by Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, four-year-old Chocante had his third run in Queensland this Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival finally getting a win on the board for the last at Doomben on Saturday in the $300,000 Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2200m).
A nicely-bred son of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, the gelding put in a good effort first-up on May 13 at Doomben when third to Stampede in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2200m).
He failed to come within 10 lengths of the upset winner Kaiser Franz in the wet at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago however running 10th in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m).
On firmer ground at Doomben he was back to his best posting his fifth career win at start number 15 with a dominant on-pace display in the Brisbane Cup with Byrne aboard.
Earlier on the card Byrne celebrated at Group 1 win on Capital Gain in the JJ Atkins and the veteran Queensland was back in winning form for Doomben Race 9 on the New Zealand galloper.
Byrne went straight to the front on Chocante, a $17 outsider in Brisbane Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au, leading from Top Of My List and the Group 1 winning mare Single Gaze who slotted into third after settling.
At the 400m approaching the home straight Chocante was still out in front leading, while the Ciaron Maher-trained Melbourne visitor Pemberley moved up from fourth into second also looking to improve on a Premier’s Cup run (6th) last start.
The Nick Olive-trained Not A Single Doubt mare Single Gaze, backing-up from her Group 2 PJ O’Shea Stakes win over the track and distance last Saturday, was chasing the leader down the straight.
Carrying the 59kg top weight however took its toll with Single Gaze unable to reel in the eventual winner.
In the end Chocante stormed home for a dominant three length victory over Single Gaze in a big all-the-way effort, while the Brisbane Cup trifecta was rounded out by Pemberley.
Last year’s Brisbane Cup winner over the 2400m at Eagle Farm Benzini rounded out this year’s first four.
“After his failure last start at Eagle Farm they [connections] were a little bit deflated,” Byrne said post-win.
“It’s such a great thrill to ride a winner for Steve.”
There’s a chance Chocante could back-up at Doomben in a fortnight on Tattersall’s Tiara Day in the $200,000 Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup (2200m).
Get behind the next winter carnival winner across the country at the right price online through Ladbrokes.com.au.
2017 Brisbane Cup Results & Finishing Order
Doomben Race 9 – 10/06/2017
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | CHOCANTE (NZ) | Stephen Marsh | Jim Byrne | – | 1 | 53kg | $18 |
| 2 | 1 | SINGLE GAZE | Nick Olive | Ms Kathy O’Hara | 3.3L | 14 | 59kg | $7 |
| 3 | 8 | PEMBERLEY (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Corey Brown | 4.1L | 6 | 53kg | $17 |
| 4 | 3 | BENZINI | Adrian & Harry Bull | Kelly McCulloch | 4.2L | 4 | 58kg | $11 |
| 5 | 2 | RUDY | Helen Page | Hugh Bowman | 4.7L | 12 | 58.5kg | $8 |
| 6 | 5 | NEVERLAND | Darren Weir | Dean Yendall | 5.7L | 8 | 53kg | $7 |
| 7 | 11 | ZAMBEZI WARRIOR (NZ) | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | Jeff Lloyd | 7.2L | 3 | 53kg | $6.50 |
| 8 | 4 | TOP OF MY LIST | Anthony & Edward Cummings | Tommy Berry | 7.7L | 9 | 57kg | $6F |
| 9 | 13 | MY DIAMANTINE (NZ) | Brian Smith | Andrew Spinks | 7.9L | 7 | 53kg | $151 |
| 10 | 6 | KAISER FRANZ (NZ) | Robert Heathcote | Robbie Fradd | 9.2L | 5 | 53kg | $41 |
| 11 | 7 | EMERALD CITY | David Vandyke | Luke Tarrant | 9.5L | 11 | 53kg | $71 |
| 12 | 14 | GRAND DREAMER | Robert Smerdon | Craig Williams | 9.9L | 10 | 53kg | $10 |
| 13 | 10 | SELF SENSE | David Brideoake | Ronnie Stewart | 10.2L | 13 | 53kg | $26 |
| 14 | 12 | MORENDI | Darren Graham | Patrick Moloney | 10.3L | 2 | 53kg | $31 |
