European import Midterm handled the wet conditions to perfection to pass a tough staying test to win the Group 3 $160,000 Irresistible Pools N E Manion Cup (2400m) at Rosehill today.

Midterm, above, will now head towards the 2019 Sydney Cup after a tough win in the N E Manion Cup at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Winning jockey Jamie Kah had Midterm in the leading division from the outset and asked him for tough staying effort after pushing him to the front approaching the home turn.

Midterm ($5.50) led the field into the straight and sustained a long run to hold off runner up Big Duke ($8) at bay with the $3.70 favourite Shraaoh running on into third spot.

Part owner Nick Williams praise trainer Liam Howley for producing Midterm in top order and said the six year old would now head towards the Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on Day Two of The Championships on April 13.

“Hopefully he pulls up okay and we can head back into the big city for the Sydney Cup,” Williams said.

 “It’s a real credit to all the team up there at Macedon and Liam’s done a good job with this horse. We’ve had him a while, he just hadn’t had a lot of luck since we’ve had him. He’s run a lot of placings but hadn’t got his nose in front.” 

“Jamie rode him beautifully today, gave him every chance. It was just a beautiful staying ride. She would’ve looked at home at Royal Ascot the way she rode that horse.”

“She was just asked to get him into a rhythm and make the horse happy, then from the 1000m start improving and see what happens. She did a great job and the horse obviously relished the ground.”

Midterm has now firmed in the Sydney Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au from $21 into the $7.50 second favourite behind the Charlie Appleby trained English stayer Dubhe who sits at the top of the market order at $5.50.