Escado wins 2015 The Cup Club Jra Cup Group 3 $200,000 at Moonee Valley (VIC), 2040m.
Escado began well and soon went to the front. He steadied the tempo in the middle stages, lifted the pace from the 600m and kept fighting off challengers from that point to score a narrow but gritty win.
Magnapal was fourth, one out and one back, moved up to challenge approaching the home turn and kept battling strongly in the sprint home for a good second, maintaining his most consistent form.
Velox enjoyed a good trip in third place on the rails. He kept fighting on well in restricted room in the straight for a good third.
Favourite The United States was a bit slowly away and raced in last place in the nine-horse field before going wide in the sprint home from the 600m. He then battled on quite well for (2 lengths) sixth being disadvantaged by the slow early tempo.
