Leebaz bounced back for a tough win in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup.
The short-priced favourite Leebaz took his record to six wins from nine starts, but he had to work for it.
He was used a bit in the early stages before easing to race in third place, one of the rails. He moved up three deep, without cover, as the pace slackened from the 800m. He continued that run to reach the lead at the 200m and then battled gamely under James McDonald to score by three quarters of a length.
The Darley mare Wistful was sixth between runners to the home turn. She got a split nearing the 200m to challenge at the 100m. She then kept fighting on well for a good second.
The $101 outsider Keep Cool was handy on the rails, got through to fourth at the 200m and battled on surprisingly well for a sound third.
The Great Snowman raced outside the leader, went to the front shortly after turning for home and held on quite well for (1.8 lengths) fourth.
The well-performed Malavio led the field to the home turn but then dropped out, being eased up by his rider Tim Clark, unfortunately looking to have broken down.
