In a dominant staying performance, Lunar Flare outshone the competition to win by five lengths for jockey Michael Dee and to once again give connections the thrill of knowing they have a start in the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
The mare has cemented herself as a golden ticket specialist having won last year’s Lexus Bart Cummings. She is also the daughter of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente, the horse that gave champion trainer Gai Waterhouse her first Melbourne Cup.
Waterhouse’s 2023 Cup hopeful White Marlin finished second ahead of Hasta La War.
The Lexus Andrew Ramsden is the second of six races to offer a golden ticket to the winner into the Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 7 November.
The first golden ticket was awarded to Goldman, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, for his win in the Lexus Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington.
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said the Lexus Andrew Ramsden produced a winner worthy of a spot in the Lexus Melbourne Cup in November.
“The Lexus Andrew Ramsden provided a thrilling contest in front of more than 6600 racegoers, with Lunar Flare blitzing the competition to secure her place in this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup,” Mr Rosich said.
“As the daughter of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente, Lunar Flare will aim to become the first horse since Black Knight in 1984 to follow their sire and win Australia's greatest race.”
“Connections can now plan their ideal road to the Cup and for those that missed out, there is still two further opportunities to guarantee a place in the Lexus Melbourne Cup with The Lexus Bart Cummings and the Lexus Archer Stakes.”
This is the fifth year that the Lexus Andrew Ramsden offers a guaranteed place in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, with previous winners Steel Prince (2019) and Oceanex (2020) both finishing in the prizemoney in Australia’s greatest race.
The undercard produced a number of other scintillating performances, with Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien winning the Listed Hilton Nicholas Straight Six with It’sourtime.
Flemington will host VRC National Jockeys Trust Race Day next Saturday 20 May.
