Emotional Doomben Cup Win for Cinque Cento

Cinque Cento scored an emotional upset success for owner Stuart Ramsey and trainer Peter Moody in the AUS$500,000 Doomben Cup (Aus-I) at Brisbane’s oval on May 19.

At 20-1, the 5-year-old daughter of Nothin’ Leica Dane led home even longer shots Gaze (40-1) and Pentathon (150-1).

Desert War flopped as the 11-8 elect, fading to sixth in quest of his fourth group I of the season. Hopes that the aging warrior son of Desert King could snatch the Australian Horse of the Year title probably also faded in the Doomben stretch.

Steven Arnold on Cinque Cento stalked Desert War for much of the 2,200 meters. That tactic often fails, but the a hard fall campaign caught up with the 6-year-old winner of almost $3 million.

After bringing the other 10 into the stretch, he was soon under pressure, rather than the pursuers. Cinque Cento quickly dashed clear and easily held on to win by a half-length. Gaze and Pentathon were separated by a short neck.

Melbourne-based Moody returned to his home state of Queensland for what he described as his greatest success in racing. He fought back tears and Ramsey broke down as they embraced in the winner’s circle.

The reason for their tears was the memory of Stuart and Trish Ramsey's youngest daughter, Sherilee, who died two weeks earlier in her sleep. She was 18.

“We kept saying this week that she would be with us when the mare raced in the Cup,” Moody said.

“The Ramseys have been great clients of mine from the start, they are a great family and to win this race for them is the greatest moment of my racing life.

“To win this race after what the family has been through, it’s so very special."

Stuart Ramsey is a successful breeder and had previously raced the Moody-trained group I winner, Sky Cuddle.

“What a training performance,” Ramsey declared, “It was amazing.”

Moody had planned to spell Cinque Cento after she won Queen of the South Stakes (Aus-II) in Adelaide on April 21. But he changed plans when the mare thrived in the days after the race.

Cinque Cento is Italian for 500. She won the Doomben Roses (Aus-III) at this circuit two years ago before running second in the Queensland Oaks (Aus-I).

The runner up, Gaze, followed her onto the Roses’ list of winners but flopped in the Oaks. Two starts before her latest group I second, the Cape Cross 4-year-old won the New Zealand Stakes (NZ-I).

Ramsey acquired Cinque Cento as a breeding proposition for his Turangga Stud last year, the cost $255,000 at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

She has since added $538,350 to take her career earnings past $730,000. She has won at five of her 23 starts.

The 75th Cup winner was bred in New South Wales by Ms. E. K. Grocott. She paid $600 for her dam, Laydown Misere, a daughter of Mr. Prospector import Varick.

Cinque Cento’s victory provided Nothin’ Leica Dane his first group I success as a sire. The Danehill son won the Victoria Derby before running second in the Melbourne Cup (both Aus-I).

The win also completed a feature race double for the Ramseys. They bred the Doomben Roses (Aus-III) winner Lasoron from the undercard. Her sire, Danehill son Oarsman, is on the Turangga roster.