Our Ivanhowe returned to the races for the first time since the Melbourne Cup to record an impressive staying victory in the 2017 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

Our Ivanhowe relished the wet track in the 2017 Ranvet Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Team Freedman have been searching for a wet track for Our Ivanhowe since he first made his Australian racing debut and that is exactly what they go in the Ranvet Stakes.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy settled Our Ivanhowe in the second half of the field as Antonio Giuseppe took up the running, but imported stayer was quick to respond when asked for an extra effort in the straight.

Our Ivanhowe clearly relished the mud and he quickly caught Antonio Giuseppe while he proved too strong for Hartnell in the concluding stages of the race.

An emotional Anthony Freedman was clearly delighted to see Our Ivanhowe make a winning return to the races in the Ranvet Stakes and he believes that the German import was more than deserving of his time in the sun.

“It panned out beautifully for us and the horse deserves his day in the sun,” Freedman said.

“He is a gentleman, he is an absolute pleasure to have and we are very lucky to have a horse like him because he is just so genuine.

“Even on hard tracks when he is feeling the ground he gives everything and I was just proud of the horse today cause he got his ground and did the job.

“The agent in Germany that sold him said that he is the best wet-tracker in the world and he may well be.

“We just need to find another one.

“He loves the country environment at Pinecliffe, he is an older horse and he likes a bit of room.

“We spoil him.”

Hartnell got a long way back with William Buick in the saddle and was able to make up plenty of ground late to finish second, while The United States maintained his consistent form with a third place finish.