By Paul Pickering
A BERWICK-based syndicate is eying Group One glory in the Emirates Stakes next week after Sound Journey’s win at Mooney Valley on Saturday.
Marisa Syndicate manager Brendan Murray and local mates Jim Anastasiu, Scott Morrow and Roy Whatmough were among the owners who cheered the Mark Kavanagh-trained six-year-old home in the Group Two Crystal Mile on Cox Plate Day.
Murray, who spotted and bought Sound Journey from a property in Nar Nar Goon, described the last-gasp win over the Anthony Cummings-trained frontrunner Trader as one of the great thrills of his time in racing.
“It’s a real pleasure to have a horse run on one of these major days, but to win a race is phenomenal,” he said.
“(Sound Journey) won the last race of the carnival last year on Emirates Day and that was a real hoot.”
Stakes Day is now the target for Sound Journey again, but this time he’ll likely be contesting the $1 million Group One feature.
Meanwhile, Cranbourne trainer Mark Webb and jockey Craig Williams were delighted with their Cox Plate runner Avienus on Saturday.
The five-year-old mare, sent out as the rank outsider in a 10-horse field, finished strongly into sixth place behind Bart Cummings-trained superstar So You Think.
Fellow Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent’s Absolutely finished four-lengths second in the Listed Arrow Training Services Stakes at the Valley on Saturday, while the Robbie Griffiths-trained Manor Lady was third in the 1000m first.
Greg Eurell’s Red Colossus has been accepted for the Group One Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington this Saturday.
Picture: Slickpix
