Five-year-old Escado has ended his 2015 Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign in the best way possible this afternoon; producing an impressive turn of foot in the final straight at the Gold Coast to win the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup (2400m) from a fast-finishing Shoreham.
Escado (inside) sprinted well enough to withstand a late charge from Shoreham (outside) in the Tattersall’s Cup. Photo: Daniel Costello
Escado was offered a great opportunity to figure early in the 2015 Tattersall’s Cup after being allocated the ideal barrier 3, and made the draw count when jumping from the gates well and settling on the heels of early leaders Faust, Zoomania and Holly Holy.
Settling into a good rhythm and receiving a dream run on the rails, jockey Ben Melham continued to keep the Casino Prince gelding settled approaching the final bend.
Hugging the rails rounding onto the final straight, Escado quickly spooled-up and charged forward; seeing off Major Major following an early pace battle and maintaining a strong-enough sprint to withstand Shoreham’s late charge; Epingle unable to fully account for 59kgs but finishing a brave third.
Ben Melham partnered Escado to success in the 2013 edition of the Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) and was understandably thrilled to return to the winner’s circle with the 35-start gelding in the 2015 Tattersall’s Cup.
“I won the Derby on him in Adelaide as a three-year-old,” Melham said.
“I thought his run two runs ago was good and didn’t have a lot of luck getting in from an awkward draw the other day but today from a good alley he was able to get a good run just behind he speed.
“He’s hard fit now and he ran it right out to the line.
“Good speed; he’s not a horse you can stop momentum on so I just had to pop him outside the speed at the turn and just let him build into the race and he built into it well and was strong through the line.
“He’s a true stayer and anything over 2000m he’s competitive and good to see him back in the winner’s circle.”
In taking out the 2015 Tattersall’s Cup, Escado posted his first race win since saluting in the 2013 South Australian Derby.
Melham will partner in-form Godolphin mare Hazard in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) this afternoon.
