The proven big-race combination of jockey Kerrin McEvoy and trainer Mike Moroney struck again when Divine Rebel bolstered her Sydney Cup credentials with a thrilling victory in the Chairman's Handicap at Randwick yesterday.
A three-horse battle developed in the closing stages of the 2600m race with Divine Rebel, who started
at $8, edging out topweight Ice Chariot ($21) by a half-head with $4.80 favourite Common Objective the same margin away third.
Divine Rebel carried 52kg and had a 6kg advantage over Ice Chariot.
Moroney and McEvoy celebrated victory in the 2000 Melbourne Cup with Brew and the Flemington trainer said Divine Rebel could also target the great race in November.
But first he wants to concentrate on the Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in two weeks.
"It's a long way off but she proved today what a good stayer she is and the Melbourne Cup is likely to be on the agenda.
"She can only improve from this run and she will be spot-on for the Sydney Cup and we'll go from there first and deal with the rest later."
The victory was a far cry from where Divine Rebel was in January.
After finishing nearly 50 lengths last in a fillies and mares' handicap over 1300m at Sandown it was revealed she was suffering from an irregular heartbeat and she was given a freshen-up.
"She had extensive testing and has come back in terrific order," Moroney said.
Divine Rebel came into the Chairman's after beating Prima Nova in the Listed Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on March 28, again with McEvoy in the saddle.
The hoop was impressed with yesterday's performance.
"She keeps getting better as it gets further, she's a huge chance in the Sydney Cup," McEvoy said. "She hit the line really well."
Trainer Ron Maund's foreman Neville Saunders said Ice Chariot could back up in next Saturday's JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick, if the track was dry, before heading to the Sydney Cup.
- AAP
