RACING
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Darley's recent love affair with the Keith Nolan Classic was never going to continue.
The international breeding giant claimed the next best after Haussmann rallied to win a two-horse war in the Bert Lillye Memorial Handicap (1300m).
Left without a runner in the Sensational Sunday feature after wins with Appearance (2012) and Cameo (2013), Darley pinned its hopes on Haussmann for Kembla Grange's biggest day.
The gelding didn't let them down; he fought off John O'Shea's Target In Sight as the pair went blow for blow in the $70,000 support act.
"The other horse got up to level terms but I had the run along the fence and dictated terms," jockey Kerrin McEvoy said. "Under full pressure, he lifted for me the last little bit."
Haussmann ($2.80 out to $4) and Target In Sight ($1.80 out to $2.50fav) were drifters on course, but never gave anything else a chance on a day dominated by front runners.
James McDonald on Target In Sight appeared to have the measure of Haussmann at the furlong pole but the Commands four-year-old fought off the challenger.
"It was a little bit late in the day to get [a winner] but we thought he had a good hope," Snowden said.
"He's probably won about six races and a few preparations ago we worked out the best way to work this horse is to do little as he doesn't cop a lot of work. Fortunately he races well and his results are starting to show that.
"He's not up to the A-graders. Listed [grade] is about his level."
Said McEvoy: "He's an off-season Saturday type of horse and it's nice to win this race this time of year. He's probably versatile trip-wise - that gives him a few options."
Chris Waller's import, Danchai ($4 out to $8.50), making his Australian debut, lost no admirers with a spirited third, a further half-length away.