More Group One Glory For Maldivian

 
7 Feb 2009

Last year's Cox Plate winner
Maldivian (NZ) (by Zabeel) enjoyed more Group 1 spoils with a magnficent fresh-up victory in the Sportingbet Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Ridden by jockey-of-the-moment Michael Rodd, fresh from his Karaka Millions victory in New Zealand, Maldivian beat home New Zealand-owned galloper Alamosa.

Maldivian defied the pattern of the day's racing by leading all-the-way to score over the fast-finishing Alamosa who closed within a neck at the finishing post.

Maldivian also had to defy the history books as he became the first horse since the mighty Saintly to win both the Cox Plate and the Orr Stakes. Saintly completed the double in the 1996/97 season.

Surround (1976-77), Tobin Bronze (1966-67), Aquanita (1962-63), Flight (1945-46), Heroic (1926-27) and The Night Patrol (1924-25) are the other horses to complete the double.

Maldivian is now heading for the Group 2 St George Stakes (1800m) and Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) for his upcoming racing assignments.