Schweppes Sydney Cup (Group 1)

FORMERLY trained by William Jarvis before transferring to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable following his 250,000 guineas purchase at the 2018 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, the Irish-bred Knights Order has added a second major 3,200 metre Cup to his trophy cabinet, winning Saturday’s Group 1 Sydney Cup to stand alongside his 2021 Group 2 Brisbane Cup.

By So You Think, Knights Order with Rachel King up dictated the terms, leading from go-to-whoa in a tenacious display that left the majority of the field 12 lengths or more in arrears.

Only the French-bred Sheraz, by Sea The Stars, and the New Zealand-bred Daqiansweet Junior, by Sweet Orange, could make any inroads on the winner, finishing two and five lengths astern respectively.

“He loved the conditions, so I was really confident with him in regards to that,” said Adrian Bott.

“He’s had a great lead-up building towards this particular race. He’s had plenty of miles, he’s proven over the two miles as a Brisbane Cup winner so I was confident on a lot of fronts there. He just needed things to go our way in the race.

Credit

“When Rachel was able to dictate in the way that she did, it was a really calculated ride by her so she’s got to take a lot of credit for that. She was able to give him every chance and opportunity from there and he was too strong.

“Over the years she (King) has put so much hard work into the stables. I’m glad we were able to reward her with a Group 1 win.”