There would be few stories to equal that of Incentivise, who in one preparation has risen from a Sunshine Coast maiden to claim three wins at the highest level, culminating in a jaw-dropping performance in Saturday’s $5,000,000 Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup (2400m).
With Brett Prebble in the saddle, Incentivise was hung out to dry, four and five wide from the outside barrier as the field wheeled around the first turn.
When Damien Oliver pressed on to lead on the heavily backed Delphi (IRE), Incentivise slotted in.
But Prebble then pushed on some 600 metres out to make a three-wide line turning for home.
If there was a doubt on his ability to stay, it was sure to be found out after a torrid run.
However, the 5yo son of Shamus Award kept up a relentless gallop to defeat Grahame Begg’s admirable Rebel Raider gelding Nonconformist by three and a half lengths with the Perro gelding Persan a furth lengths and three-quarters back in third.
On a nine-race winning streak, the Peter Moody-trained gelding added the Caulfield Cup to the Group 1 VRC Makybe Diva Stakes and Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes. It advanced his record to nine wins from 12 starts with earnings of $4,493,300.
“It’s unbelievable. Caulfield was my home for sixteen or seventeen years and trained a couple of thousand winners here, but never this one,” Moody said.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity, thanks to Brae Sokolski and Ozzie Kehir. They planted the seed, purchased the horse and recommended that he came to my yard.
“A big thanks to Steve Tregea, the former trainer, owner and breeder of this horse. Big shout out to everyone in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs. This one is for you.
“We weren’t going to rush him. Brett took his time. He found a lovely spot, and he knew where he wanted to be down the side. He said that he wanted to be six or seven off and build into the race.
“He said ‘I don’t care how the first 1200 goes, I just want to be able to build into it at the hallways mark onwards.
“He gives you a little heart flutter. He hits a flat spot coming down the side, but he just kept building. A super effort.
“To Sara the girls, they’ve been my biggest supporters since we’ve been back.
“They’ve been unbelievably supportive. It means as much to them as me.
“Catherine Coleman, she rides him, does all the work, she’s my 2IC and will be a training partner one day along with Jeff O’Connor my Racing Manager."
Prebble said he has no doubt Incentivise will be even better over 3200m.
“It was pretty exciting from an awkward draw. There are 17 other jockeys and they’ve all got their own opinion on how the race is going to be run,” Prebble said.
“I was mindful of the fact they weren’t going to give him a soft lead. The way the race was run today, it was a little bit windy, I thought “I’m definitely going to get cover, even if it is on the side there for the first 1200m’.
“He doesn’t overrace, he doesn’t waste his energy like some of the others do. Damien’s (Delphi) was a bit aggressive.”
“I was surprised, he came off the bridle a bit sooner than I would have liked. I showed him the whip before the home turn. All that is telling me is look out Melbourne Cup. He is going to eat up the 3200m.”
“He is probably one of the most exciting horses I’ve ridden.”
Incentivise is the best of four stakes-winners for the stakes-placed Iglesia mare Miss Argyle.
He is a half-brother to the Group III ARC Concorde Handicap winner and Waikato Stud-based stallion Ardrossan (Redoute’s Choice), and Listed winners Cheyenne Warrior (Not A Single Doubt) and Bergerac (Drumbeats).
A sister to dual Listed winner Diamondsondinside, Miss Argyle (Iglesia), died in September last year. Her final live foal is an unraced 3yo Golden Archer gelding named Argyle Lane.
Incentivise is one of four Group 1 winners for Shamus Award who stands at Rosemont Stud for a fee of $33,000.
