British stayer Corncrake has claimed his first win on Australian soil, the colt taking out the 2400 metre Kembla Grange Stayers Cup on Friday.
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The four-year-old arrived in Sydney on the back of three-straight victories in England, however he had struggled in his three starts prior to Friday's win.
Trainer Matthew Smith will now assess his options, with the horse nominated for April's Sydney Cup, though well down the order of entry.
Jockey Hugh Bowman was made to work for the victory, Corncrake surging past Castel Sant'angelo and Gwenda Markwell's Hamogany to take out the race.
"It was a strangely run race," Bowman said.
"But this guy, his will to win is his best attribute. He was really strong through the line, he had to do it the tough way, it was a very good effort.
"At the 300 when I asked him to, he just put his head down and went and got the leaders. It was a good win, a peculiar race, but I was pleased with the horse."
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