Nicconi two-year-old filly Concealer took out the $150,000 Group III Emirates Airline Plate
Zac Purton and Tony McEvoy struck the opening blow on 2015 Melbourne Cup day when striking two-year-old filly Concealer (Nicconi x Beauty Kit) took out the $150,000 Group III Emirates Airline Plate (1000m).
Concealer wins the opening event at Flemington on 2015 Melbourne Cup day. Photo: Darryl Sherer
Hong Kong-based Purton, an internationally renowned big-race rider, is in town to partner Melbourne Cup favourite Fame Game and was snapped-up by McEvoy for the opening event.
Camping just off the pace, Purton bided his time until launching his winning bid inside the final 100m.
"She jumped out well,” Purton said. "I had a nice spot just behind them and she really attacked the line with a lot of purpose.”
Glen Boss aboard Motown Lil ($7) and Damien Oliver on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Prompt Response ($4.60) had zipped across off wide gates to settle first and second and momentarily looked set to fight out the finish until Concealer ($20) descended upon them late.
Prompt Response held on for second, beaten half-a-length while the Robbie Laing-trained favourite Missrock ($3.80) for Vlad Duric closed gamely four horses away from the rail to finish third, beaten 1-1/2 lengths.
All the pre-race talk on Melbourne Cup day had been about the condition of the Flemington track and whether an inside bias would wreak havoc with the meeting as it did last Saturday for the Victoria Derby meeting
"It felt good to me,” Purton said. "It's nice and firm. Just how I want it. Obviously the horses back towards the fence again showed that they had a bit of an advantage.
"I'm a little bit worried about the bias but it's only early in the day. We'll wait and see.”
For Tony McEvoy it was an ideal start to the day.
"She has surprised me that she's got there pre-Chrismtas,” McEvoy said.
"She's got great expression in her action and I thought the straight would be nice to let her get into her rhythm. She really impressed me.”
Paul Joice - 03 Nov 2015
