Kavanagh/Rodd Treble As Sea Battle Wins Jayco Crystal Mile
Story By Alex Steedman
Saturday, 25 October 2008:  | | Sea Battle - Winner of today's Jayco Crystal Mile |
Jumping from gate 16, Sea Battle was positioned near the tail of the field by jockey Michael Rodd on the outside of well-backed grey Orange County.
Sea Battle began to round the field 800m from home and at the top of the straight had moved to the joint lead with Pillar Of Hercules.
Despite being wide for most of the race, the five-year-old still had fuel left in the tank in the final stages to win easily by a length.
Other fancied runners Conquering and Orange County filled out the minor placings.
The Quest For Fame entire dealt with a similar alley last start in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield (17) when he again was caught wide but managed to finish fourth behind Alamosa.
“He drew off the track in the Toorak,” jockey Michael Rodd said. “His form has been outstanding leading up to now and he's been rewarded with a nice win.”
“Mark's done a really great job, he's really got this horse flying.”
These strong results have earned Sea Battle a shot at the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) on November 8 according to his trainer Mark Kavanagh.
“He'll go straight to the Emirates,” Kavanagh said. “He's a good old horse, each time we put him out he tries his heart out and every time we put him up he steps up.”
Sea Battle's first win at Group level capped off a day to remember for Michael Rodd and Mark Kavanagh.
The pair combined earlier in the program with Whobegotyou winning the Group 2 AAMI Vase before Maldivian took out today's feature race, the Group 1 Tatts Cox Plate.
“When you're riding on a high like I am at the moment, you've got your confidence up and you just feel like you can do anything,” Rodd said.
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