Tough sprinter Flamberge sent retiring trainer Peter Moody out in style with a narrow win in the Group 1 $500,000 Mitchelton Wines William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Thursday night.
Flamberge, green colours, noses out Holler, royal blue, in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Moody starts a six month cobalt related suspension at midnight on Thursday but decided to hand in his trainer’s licence and Flamberge’s third Group 1 win could not have been a better way to round off his illustrious training career that netted him fifty-four Group 1 wins.
Brad Rawiller gave Flemberge the run of the race from barrier two and was never far away from the leader Holler who was trying to make it back to back Group 1 wins after an all the way victory in the Group 1 $500,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on March 5.
But it was Flamberge who claimed successive Group 1 wins after taking out the Group 1 $500,000 Clamms Seafood Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 27.
Flamberge was sent out at the good odds of $12 and nabbed Holler ($4.40) right on the line to score by a nose with Japonisme ($5.50) making up ground out in the middle of the track to be another head away in third spot.
Favourite Lucky Hussler ($3.80) was never in contention and wound up in ninth spot, three and a quarter lengths from the winner.
Flamberge’s William Reid Stakes win was Moody’s third after winning it twice with his great mare Black Caviar in 2011 and 2013.
“I had the joy of winning it with a special horse and this little bloke’s become pretty special too,” Moody said.
“I thought I’d reached a lot of highs with Black Caviar but to close it out like this tonight … that makes it impossible to come back because that can’t be bettered.”
Flamberge’s other Group 1 win was in the 2015 $500,000 Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.
“He’s a remarkable little horse,” Moody said.
“It’s no secret he grew on us over a period of time. I didn’t see a big future in him but he just kept winning races.
“When he won The Goodwood we were over the moon. Then he won an Oakleigh Plate.
“And to do this tonight, it’s unbelievably special.
“It will stick with me for a while.”
Moody held back the tears at the post race interview but admitted that he might have a cry in the car on the way home.
“What a great way (to go out),” Moody said.
“I’ll probably get in my car and have a cry but I’m not going to do it in front of you bastards – my eyes are watering up as it is.
“That’ll stick with me for a while.
“It’s been an emotional day.”
