Jockey James McDonald and trainer Chris Waller combined to take out the group 1 Thousand Guineas with Madame Pommery, the filly mastering the wet conditions at Caulfield to beat home the top chances in the $1 million race.
After a last-start sixth-place finish in the Darley Flight Stakes at Royal Randwick at the start of October, three-year-old Madame Pommery ($9.60, $2.80) finished ahead of placegetters Revolutionary Miss ($5.80) and She’s Licketysplit ($1.50), one of the pre-face favourites.
Madame Pommery, ridden by James McDonald, wins the Thousand Guineas.Credit:Getty Images
It was a day to remember for the all-female syndicate to grab a group 1 during the Caulfield Cup carnival.
“I’m a bit speechless really,” Charlie Duckworth, assistant trainer and racing manager for Waller, told racing.com.
Madame Pommery.Credit:Getty Images
“It’s above and beyond expectations really. I think they [the syndicate] would have been happy to have a winner at Kembla or Geelong on a Thursday, but to win here today is just mind-blowing.”
Duckworth said Madame Pommery’s wet-track form pointed to a strong showing.
“[It was] obviously a fantastic ride. We were a little bit cautious and nervous as to whether she would see out the tough mile.
“[She] got a gem of a ride, [and] did no work early. [She] only had to try and win at the 400. She let down pretty impressively.”
McDonald was the over the moon with how the race progressed.
“My filly was classy enough to get the job done,” he said.
“Chris has a lot of faith in this filly. That’s why he brought her down [to Melbourne].
“He said she would be too hard to beat. He was quietly confident.”
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