From Mackay,
Ridden by Dwayne Dunn for Team Hawkes, Our Boy Malachi raced against his usual pattern with Dunn taking the chestnut to the rear of the 9-horse field after a tardy start.
Coming widest of all on the home turn Our Boy Malachi sustained a long run to defeat Faatinah (Nicconi) by one and half lengths 1 with the returning champion Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice) a half-neck away third after running into traffic problems in the straight. (photo Grant Courtney).
It was the fifth stakes success for the son of Top Echelon, taking his overall record to 19 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from 26 starts with earnings of $946,400.
"An eight-year-old gelding to come to Melbourne for the first time and do that, that's fantastic," co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said.
"I didn't think they were going that hard in front but for him to sit off them and do that was something a bit special.
"It takes something to get me up on my feet but he did, he's a fabulous horse.
Hawkes said the 8yo gelding may go to Perth in search of his first win at the elite level in the Winterbottom Stakes.
"He's still got a bit of improvement in him but we'll see how he comes through this.
"I think we'll find something for him over the Flemington carnival."
"We might even go to Perth for the Winterbottom yet. He's nominated.
"I don't make decisions on race days, I'm just happy to be standing here as a winner."
Dwayne Dunn said a slow start forced his hand.
"It was always going to be a bit sticky from the wide draw and when we didn't break that well it meant we had to be patient," Dunn said.
"Full credit to the horse, he's finished off beautifully and full credit to Team Hawkes for the job they have done with him since they have had him."
Our Boy Malachi is the ninth and final
Rusticate is out of the unraced Crown Jester mare Court And Spark whose dam Kingston's Hope (Bletchingly) is a sister to one of the all-time greats, Kingston Town.
Rusticate died from cervical cancer just a few weeks after foaling Our Boy Malachi who comes from the fifth crop of 20 live foals sired by Top Echelon who also sired the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner River Lad.
A Group 1 placed son of Umatilla, Top Echelon stands at Oakwood Farm in Queensland and Our Boy Malachi's heroics have seen renewed interest in the stallion.
He covered a handful of mares for five consecutive seasons before serving 30 in 2013, then a career high 107 in 2014 despite having his fee raised from $2,000 to $4,000. It was hiked up again to $5,000 last spring in which he covered 64 mares.
Top Echelon is standing his 16th season at stud this spring for a fee of $3,000.
