Wexford Stables' Group One pedigree at Hastings was again to the fore when they claimed the carnival's biggest prize with the widely-travelled Willie Cazals (IRE).
Trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott completed a patch-up job of extraordinary proportions to produce the veteran to land the Livamol Classic, his first win for more than three years.
"This is a wonderful thrill for Andrew and myself, the owners and the staff at Wexford," O'Sullivan said.
"He came back from Hong Kong with two bowed tendons so we put him out on the hills for 12 months. There was no pressure because the owners didn't have any great expectations."
They knew, though, that if Willie Cazals could get anywhere near his best overseas form – a stakes win in Italy and Group One placings at Sha Tin – he would be a formidable foe at Hastings.
"He ran against Red Cadeaux on three occasions and beat him every time – he was a pretty serious horse," O'Sullivan said.
The stable also won the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate two years ago with another former Hong Kong performer in Pure Champion. "This one is maybe a little bit more special," O'Sullivan said.
Jockey Craig Grylls, who also rode Pure Champion, was happy to let the nine-year-old Willie Cazals lope along at the back of the field.
"The plan was not to dig him out of the gates, he can over race, and there was good speed on," he said. "From the 800 the field fanned out and I picked a path through and he got the job done.
"All credit to Lance and Andrew, it's great to get another Group One for them –they've been big supporters of mine."
Willie Cazals' sustained finish saw him collar the favourite Humidor close to home with
NZ Racing Desk.
