 Star Sydney performer Universal Prince
has upstaged perennial Group One winner Tie the Knot in this afternoon's $405,430 Ranvet
Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill in Sydney.Attempting to
join the champion Kingston Town with an Australasian record 14 Group One wins Tie the Knot
had every chance but after briefly hitting the front he gave nothing. Weakening over the
concluding stages the son of Nassipour looked a 16/1 chance as he only plugged home in
fifth place.
Reunited with Justin Sheehan for the first time since THAT
Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington, the two didn't have the best run over the final stages but
the Derby winner's class shone through as he found room between runners. After getting out
of a pocket the son of Scenic burst clear for an authoritative win.
 For Universal Prince it was Group One win number
three and continued a great run for Kembla Grange based trainer Bede Murray. Another
member of the Murray camp racing in fine fettle at present is the Slipper bound filly
Victory Vein.
Already the winner of the AJC Derby and Rosehill Guineas at
three, Universal Prince is best known as the warm favourite for last year's Melbourne Cup
who was denied a run by Stewards who deemed the star performer as "lame."
Murray, who still vows to this day his gelding was fit to
run on the first Tuesday in November, caused many a wry smile when he was asked about
Universal Prince's condition before his recent first up run.
"He's the same as he always was, so I guess he
wouldn't be fit enough to race in Victoria," he quipped.
Murray was calling on the southern challenge of Northerly
and Ethereal for the $1 million BMW (formerly Mercedes Classic) declaring his charge was
"ready for what they can deliver."
PICS - Quentin
Lang. |
