The market proved true at Caulfield on Saturday as race-favourite Pippie put forward a dazzling effort to claim the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) on the way to what could be a very special Spring.
The mare by Written Tycoon opened at $2.10 before the jump and raced every bit like a favourite for trainers John and Chris Meagher.
From the gates, Pippie established a position on the inside before moving two-wide on the bend. The classy four-year-old dug in with just under 100m remaining, racing away from second place-getter Spanish Whisper to win by a length and a half.
It was a classic Ben Melham ride that got the job done on an emotional day for all jockeys following Mikaela Claridge’s death at Pakenham on Friday.
After paying tribute to the talented apprentice, Melham went on to discuss Pippie’s promising future.
Pippie, above, won the Cockram Stakes at Caulfield in impressive fashion on Saturday. Photo Credit: Ultimate Racing Photos.
“Lovely filly this, she had a bit against her today with the head breeze and she looked the only leader, but nothing has led from one end of the breeze today,” Melham said.
“She goes a good gallop this filly and I thought the fence was a little bit worn and I felt the only genuine 1200m horse Sylvia’s Mother was drawn down one, so I was happy to stay off the rail and let her face the breeze as well.”
Spanish Whisper, who opened the race at double-digit odds ran home nicely to finish second in a photo. Sylvia’s Mother also wasn’t disgraced running third.
The plan ahead for Pippie remains unknown, but Melham knows her blistering turn of foot will produce plenty more wins.
“She did a tremendous job, she’s a terrific filly, the boys have done a great job with her and I think she’s going to win better races” Melham went on to say.
2019 Cockram Stakes Results & Finishing Order
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Barrier | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | PIPPIE | John & Chris Meagher | Ben Melham | – | 7 | 55kg | $2.05F |
| 2 | 2 | SPANISH WHISPER | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Mark Zahra | 1.5L | 3 | 58kg | $15 |
| 3 | 11 | SYLVIA’S MOTHER | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Dwayne Dunn | 1.6L | 1 | 55kg | $4 |
| 4 | 5 | EMBRACE ME (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | Damien Oliver | 1.7L | 8 | 57kg | $21 |
| 5 | 9 | FIDELIA | Robbie Griffiths | Jye McNeil | 2.2L | 9 | 55kg | $17 |
| 6 | 1 | AMPHITRITE | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Craig Williams | 2.3L | 11 | 59kg | $8 |
| 7 | 10 | ZIZZIS | Patrick Payne | Michael Dee | 3.3L | 2 | 55kg | $81 |
| 8 | 7 | MISS IANO | Mark C Webb | Brian Park | 3.4L | 6 | 55kg | $41 |
| 9 | 6 | ALOISIA (NZ) | Anthony Freedman | Ms Linda Meech | 4.65L | 10 | 55kg | $31 |
| 10 | 8 | JORDA | James Cummings | Damian Lane | 4.85L | 12 | 55kg | $31 |
| 11 | 3 | SPANISH REEF | Ken Keys | Luke Currie | 5.15L | 4 | 57kg | $41 |
| 12 | 4 | CRACK THE CODE | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Michael Walker | 7.65L | 5 | 57kg | $41 |
| – | 12 | EXTREME BLISS | David Brideoake | Luke Nolen | – | 0 | – | – |
