Material Man Gets His Revenge in Perth Cup

Mark Smith - Monday January 1

Second to Pounamu in both the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic and Group II Ted Van Heemst Stakes, Material Man turned the tables on his old foe in a heart-stopping finish to the $500,000 Group II Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on New Years Day.

Enjoying the run of the race under Lucy Warwick, Material Man hit the front 300 metres out while Patrick Carbery was weaving a passage between runners from well back in the field.

The two crossed the line locked together with Material Man earning the decision on the bob of the head. Royal Star (Redoute's Choice was back in third.

It was a history-making first for the father-daughter combination of trainer Justin Warwick and daughter Lucy.

"It was 100 metres further than he wanted to go. I was well aware that 2000 metres is probably his trip, Justin Warwick said.

"In stretching him out to this without an ideal barrier, an ideal ride and everything going our way, we got given it and it was ours to lose. Fortunately enough we hung on by not a lot.

"He's the best horse I've had. It's just been great to have him the whole way through. He's got a good horses record, he has won over a million bucks, anyone can hop on him over any distance and he never runs a bad race.

It was the second Perth Cup for the trainer after Black Tycoon in 2014 and a first for daughter Lucy.


"I'm just relieved it's over. I felt like spewing up behind the gates I was so nervous, Lucy Warwick said. 

"It was probably the first time I've ridden him the way he needs to be ridden.

"All the runs came at the perfect time but I was out in front for a long time by myself. It's a massive straight – you can see the Cup at the end and you've just got to make it there.

"I could hear him (Pounamu) coming and I thought don't stop, don't stop. He's coming on my inside and I thought please don't and we got there in the nick of time.

A homebred for the MacDermott family, Material Man advances his record to 11 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third from 20 starts with earnings of $1,043,975.

He is the first foal of the Sydney winning Hussonet (USA) mare Del Lirio, a descendant of Eight Carat's half-sister Great Klaire (GB), who has spent the greater part of her broodmare career in the paddock without being covered.

Given a year off after foaling Material Man, Del Lirio produced the unraced Scandalous Miss (Scandal Keeper) then was not covered for the next four years.

In November last year, she made the trip to Newgate Farm to visit Wandjina.

Material Man is the best of three stakes winners for Vital Equine (IRE) who began his career at Yarradale Farm before relocating to Rosalee Park in 2016.

A son of Danetime, Vital Equine (pictured ) won the Group II Champagne Stakes at York, was second in the Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas and third in the Group 1 Grand Criterium at Longchamp.

He just completed his 10th season at stud covering 24 mares at a fee of $4,400.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 2
Here is the full list of 137 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Third G1 Win for Star Savabeel Mare Atishu
A year after flying home for second behind Pride Of Jenni in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Go Racing’s pin-up girl Atishu(NZ) (Savabeel) returned to Flemington on Saturday and went one better for the Kiwi syndicators.
Fawkner Park Back to Winning Ways in G3 Rosehill Gold Cup
Since winning the Listed Albury Gold Cup in March, Fawkner Park has undergone an amazing transformation.
Back to Back Victoria Derby Winners for Triple Crown Hero American Pharoah
The Watson family owned South Australian nursery Mill Park is a name synonymous with serious Group I horses and in particular those bred by astute breeder Harry Perks and this winning association struck for a third time in the $2million Group I VRC Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday when Goldrush Guru saluted to join previous winners they have produced in Rebel Raider and Warning.
Switzerland Wins the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for Coolmore
After Coolmore’s $875,000 I Am Invincible colt Home Affairs captured the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2021, it was the turn of the $1,500,000 Snitzel colt Switzerland to do the sponsor proud in the $2,000,000 Group 1 feature at Flemington on Saturday.
2024 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw
The all important barrier draw for the world’s richest handicap, the $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been held for a field which contains horses bred in seven countries and trained in four.
Bravo Centurion - How Good is He?
Ridden by Chris Parnham for Luke Fernie, Bravo Centurion stretched his winning run to six, making every post a winner to defeat Saloon Bar (Sessions) by a long three and three-quarter lengths with Crippalenko (Maschino) a half-length back in third.
William Haggas Trained Lake Forest Triumphs in Golden Eagle
William Haggas is playing his part in keeping the UK economy afloat, taking home a further $5,250,000 after Lake Forest (GB) won an action-packed James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
Switzerland Brother an Inglis Easter Highlight for 2025
An “arrogant’’, “dominant’’ and “awesome’’ victory solidified Easter Sale superstar Switzerland’s future at stud when he produced a devastating performance to win the stallion making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today.
Invincible Mares Quinella G3 Furphy Sprint
The first foal of triple Group I winning mare Shoals, blueblood I Am invincible mare Isthmus has been threatening to win a stakes race this year and got the job done when charging clear to score a dominant victory in the Group III VRC Furphy Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday over another I Am Invincible mare in Kundalini.