Lys Gracieux Makes Cox Plate History

Yoshito Yahagi witnessed the great Kingston Town secure a historic third Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1) success when learning his trade in Australia in 1982, and 37 years later, he trained the first winner of the race for Japan as Lys Gracieux stormed to an impressive victory.

Yahagi described Australia as "my home" in the immediate aftermath of the biggest success of his career in the 99th edition of the AU$5 million (US$3,411,050) feature Oct. 26 at Moonee Valley.

Damian Lane's mount produced a devastating turn of foot to justify favoritism, readily defeating Castelvecchio by 1 1/2 lengths with Te Akau Shark two lengths behind him in third.

It was a big-race success for Japan, Lane and owners U Carrot Farm for the second consecutive Saturday, one week on from Mer de Glace striking in the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (G1).

Yahagi, who spent time with Bart Cummings in Flemington and Neville Begg in Sydney, said: "I was confident beforehand as she has thrived since she arrived in Australia and was in even better form than when she was in Japan.

"I've been wanting to win this race for many years, ever since I saw Kingston Town win in 1982, so I'm delighted to do it—it's a dream come true.

"There are many great racing people in Australia—it is my home!"

Victory did not look particularly likely for the wide-drawn Lys Gracieux at halfway with Lane sitting and suffering near the rear of the full 14-runner field, but he navigated a perfect passage to bring the dual top-level winner in Japan with a telling run.

Lys Gracieux earned a spot in the Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) at Flemington Nov. 5 with the success but Yahagi ruled out a potential bid in favor of aiming the 5-year-old at the Arima Kinen (G1) at Nakayama Dec. 22.

He said: "I thought she was not going to make it from there but Damian is a top jockey and Lys Gracieux is a very good horse.

"We won't be going for the Melbourne Cup and instead will aim her at the Arima Kinen."

For Lane it was a third major win of the year, having also landed the Longines Golden Slipper (G1) on Kiamichi in March, and he will bid to capture a remarkable quartet aboard Mer de Glace in the Melbourne Cup.

The jockey, winning the Cox Plate for the first time, said: "It's been an unbelievable year. I grew up as a racing fan watching my idols win this race so it's a privilege to now be on the honor roll.

"She didn't get around the track too well but was too good anyway."

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Magic Wand was prominent throughout under Ryan Moore and ran another consistent race in group 1 company to finish fourth, while Danceteria never threatened and finished last of 14.

David Menuisier felt the unique course did not suit his group 1 winner, who is set to contest the Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes (G1) at Flemington Nov. 9—a race his rider Jamie Spencer won aboard Side Glance in 2013.

Menuisier said: "He didn't handle the track and suffered a bump on the final bend when trying to make ground.

"It was all over after that and he didn't have a hard race. We have lost the battle but not the war and the plan is to head to the Mackinnon."