Pinhole taps in Cup qualification in Queen Elizabeth

After missing a run in the Melbourne Cup by just one spot, Pinhole took the opportunity at hand in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes to stamp himself as a stayer of the future on the Australian scene.

At 25th in the order of entry for last Tuesday's 3200m feature won by Point Of Law, it was not enough to make the 24-runner field.

That was all put aside as the $2,60 favourite Pinhole descended on race leader Defiantly at the 300-metre mark to draw away for a 2¾-length win over outsiders Manzor Blue ($41) in second and Torranzino ($26) in third.

"He's a bright, bright stayer of the future," winning trainer Chris Waller said.

"He was a good winner at Caulfield two starts ago, and then last start he had no luck at all. 

"So he's a really promising horse, and it's all about getting him to the I guess the Cup for next year. It's a good step forward. He'll be qualified and we just have to find the best path for him now."

Waller and James Mcdonald agreed that the UK-import settled better than in his seventh placing in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) a fortnight ago.

"He was really good (and) he relaxed a lot better too," McDonald said. 

"He's still a young progressive stayer. He probably should have been in the race on Tuesday, but there will be plenty of time."

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Defiantly, also denied a run in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) but in this instance by stewards' orders, finished fourth after taking command in front for two-thirds of the race.

Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle said that the five-year-old showed too much speed from the gates and that the gelding is better suited to races over further trips.

Makybe Diva won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2002 before notching the first of her three wins in the Melbourne Cup 12 months later.