Protectionist Flies to Melbourne Cup Win

German-trained Protectionist won the Aus$6 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) in a four-length romp Nov. 4 at Flemington, defeating gallant globetrotter Red Cadeaux and Who Shot Thebarman. 

 

In a sad epilog to Australia's most famous race, Riichi Kondo's Japan-based Admire Rakti, the Oct. 18 Caulfield Cup (Aus-I) victor, collapsed upon returning to his stall and died after finishing last as the favorite in the 3,200-meter (about two-mile) event.

 

Admire Rakti, a 7-year-old son of Heart's Cry and My Ambivalent, set a torrid pace for most of the race, but  weakened and dramatically faded before the home turn. Brambles then threw down a challenge to My Ambivalent at the top of the straight before British-based Red Cadeaux was up to take charge inside the final quarter mile. 

 

Protectionist, rallying fastest of all, burst through a gap and powered away with Ryan Moore to triumph. Who Shot Thebarman was third, a half length behind Red Cadeaux.  

 

Final time was 3:17.71 on turf labeled as good.

 

"The pace was suicidal off the front," winning trainer Andreas Wohler told Seven Network about the Protectionist, a 5-year-old son of Monsun. "He stayed. And he has a nice turn of foot once he throws down the power.

 

"It was a smooth run. The jockey was so patient with him. And found the right gap and then through."

 

Red Cadeaux, a 9-year-old Cadeaux Genereux gelding trained by Ed Dunlop, was the runner-up for a third time—checking in second in 2011 and 2013. He was eighth in the race in 2012. 

 

"He ran a super race like he always does," jockey Gerald Mosse told Australia's Racing Network. "Very big heart and he tried so hard all the way. Just found one too good for him again."

 

Protectionist, campaigned by a large partnership, won the Darley Prix Kergorlay (Fr-II) at the Melbourne Cup distance Aug. 24 at Deauville before shipping to Australia. He prepped for the Cup in the Sportingbet Herbert Power Stakes going 1 1/2 miles at Caulfield Oct. 11. Breaking from post 10 in the 22 horse field for the Melbourne Cup, he lost a little ground as horses next to him jostled for room, but the ever-cool Moore slotted in toward the rear. Moore waited for the crucial opening in the stretch and speared Protectionist through to win going away.

 

The Melbourne Cup victory marked the fifth win from 10 career starts for the bay 4-year-old colt who was bred in Germany by Dr. Christoph Berglar. His dam is the unraced Peintre Celebre mare Patineuse.

Dr. Brian Stewart, Racing Victoria's head of veterinary and equine welfare, later issued a statement saying Admire Rakti's cause of death has yet to be determined, “although the circumstances of the horse's passing are very rare.”

Admire Ratki, trained by Tomoyuki Umeda, carried top weight of 58.5 kilograms (129 pounds) in the fourth-fastest Cup ever run.

Stewart said a postmortem examination would be conducted at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital.

“Our sympathies are extended at this time to the owner Mr. Kondo, trainer Mr. Umeda and his staff who cared deeply for their horse and are naturally saddened by their tragic loss,” he said in the statement.

Jockey Zac Purton said he could tell there was something wrong with his horse early in the race.

“I knew he was in trouble when he didn't tow me into the race around halfway from home,” Purton was quoted as saying by the Australian Broadcasting Corp. “So I eased him down straight away, the horse's welfare comes first.

“It's very sad. He gave me a great thrill at Caulfield and for this to happen to him is just not fair.”