Popular WA galloper Cosmic Crusader continued his ascendance into one of the nation’s best horses as he stormed to victory in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
It made a trip worthwhile for both William Pike and owner Bob Peters as the $2.45 fancy won by three-quarters of a length, beating hardened Group 1 rivals Private Eye ($3.60) and Evaporate ($5.50).
Peters broke a rule that he would not travel from his Perth home for just one starter, excusing himself on the basis he was otherwise obligated.
“I made a point never to fly when I’ve only got the one runner,” Peters said.
“I went to Morphettville once for a Group 1 and everything was going right and then 6 o’clock in the morning, I got a phone call that the horse had done a tendon. So, I thought, ‘never fly again if I’ve only got one’.
“But I had a function on here today, so it was a good opportunity to come for two things.”
Pike manoeuvred the bay into a one-out position but gave the front-running Evaporate eight lengths headstart passing the 500m.
However, once pulled five wide, the six-year-old made up ground hand over fist and came there cruising once the field straightened for home.
Pushed into gear by Pike passing the 300m, Cosmic Crusader had already taken the front when his rider finally reached for the whip a furlong later.
Despite a rally from Private Eye, the gelding franked himself as a true contender for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in two weeks’ time.
“I was a little bit worried in the run when he was pulling, but once Willie got him to the outside, I could see he was on the job,” Peters said.
“He did enough to justify going on. It’s a bit of a step up when you get up against the big boys and girls in a couple of weeks.”
Pike forfeited his Belmont engagements to take the steer on the Andrea Leak-trained galloper and was justified in his decision.
“The horse was fantastic and he looks in great order. A big, lovely-striding horse,” Pike said.
“A little bit scratchy at the start but after that we ended up finding a nice position, the pace was nice and even.
“I eased him into the clear and he took over from there. I didn’t really mean to put him into the race quite like that, but he was going easy and he took me for a ride.”
Cosmic Crusader is now a $4.80 chance for the Memsie behind multiple Group 1-winning mare Sheza Alibi ($2.15f).
Despite being so highly rated in the betting, it will certainly be the stiffest test asked of the son of Maurice.
Proven topliners such as Jimmysstar ($5), Angel Capital ($6.50), Aeliana ($7.50), Mr Brightside ($9.50) and Treasurethe Moment ($10) are next in early markets.
