- Amade won the 2023 Geelong Cup in shock result
- Group 3 race, $500,000 up for grabs in prizemoney
- Amade could now race in the Melbourne Cup
Irish stayer Amade has won the 2023 Geelong Cup in a shock result – and could now feature in the Melbourne Cup on November 7.
Ridden by Zac Spain, the $34 chance flew home late to snare the Group 3 event and $500,000 in prizemoney.
Magical Lagoon – with veteran Damien Oliver on board – set the tone early, but come the home straight, it was anyone’s race.
Spain found some space when it mattered, and soared towards the winning post, finishing ahead of Ashrun ($1.85) and Sir Lucan ($4.60).
There was plenty of drama pre-race, with the heavily backed First Immortal given a vet examination after appearing to hit his snout as the field prepared to jump from the barriers.
Irish stayer Amade won the Group 3 Geelong Cup over 2400m in a shock result on Wednesday
Jockey Zac Spain bided his time and found the way to the line to win the Geelong Cup
Trainers Mark Kavanagh (pictured, right) and Levi Kavanagh had high hopes for First Immortal – but he didn’t feature when it mattered
Jockey Jamie Kah kept her composure and gave him every chance, but it proved to Amade’s race in a massive boilover.
Speaking post-race, a jubilant Spain said the wet track was always going to suit his ride ‘being an older horse’.
‘The sting out of the track was always going to help him,’ he said.
Trained by Phillip Stokes, Amade can now compete in the Melbourne Cup in 13 days time if connections choose to go down that path.
