Two
weeks later Alcopop was back for his fourth successive run on Caulfield
Guineas day in the Caulfield Stakes. Sent out at 20/1 many had clearly
missed the scrimmage and late sprint of his previous start but
connections were clearly confident to send him out again the Cox Plate
hopefuls. Alcopop soon dropped out to a clear last in the small six
horse field as Midas Touch raced to the lead. By the 800m Alcopop moved
up on the inside of Sincero just behind Sanagas and Ocean Park. Coming
to the home turn Alcopop moved out to follow Ocean Park with Sincero
starting his run as three lengths covered the entire field. Well into
the straight once again Alcopop was held up as he switched across the
heels of Sincero as Ocean Park hit the front. With Ocean Park in front
by the 200m he was soon challenged by Sincero as Alcopop started to wind
up down the outside. In the final 50m Ocean Park edged ahead going on
to win by a half length from a determined Alcopop who nosed out Sincero
for second with a gap back to Midas Touch in 4th. Although
no one knew it this was the form race for the major Group 1 races the
Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Mackinnon Stakes coming up over the next
month. Two weeks later Ocean Park defied the 3yos All Too Hard and
Pierro to win the Cox Plate while a week later Alcopop backed up in the
Caulfield Cup.
Jumping from a middle gate Alcopop was soon angled across to be one off
the rail just behind midfield. Little changed until they went past the
1000m where Alcopop moved out wider on the track to prepare to make his
run. Passing the 600m Alcopop started to circle the field with Dunaden
hard on his heels. On straightening Alcopop started to sprint wide on
the track hitting the front approaching the 200m and starting to look
like he just might finally have the luck go his way but also warming up
out wide was the Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden. With 100m to go Alcopop
was in front but the effort around the turn was starting to tell as
Dunaden kept coming. By the 50m Dunaden drew level and edged ahead to
win by half a length from the fighting Alcopop with SA Australasian Oaks
Group 1 winner Lights of Heaven in third place.
Two
weeks later Alcopop lined up n the Mackinnon Stakes taking on Ocean Park
again plus Glass Harmonium, December Draw, etc. Alcopop immediately
dropped out to the rear of the field as Glass Harmonium took up the lead
while Ocean Park was midfield. By the 1400m Alcopop had moved up along
the inside to join Oceam Park. Around the home turn Glass Harmonium
raced well clear of the field as Ocean park went wide and Alcopop looked
for a gap along the rails to chase. By the 300m Alcopop started to put
in his run going past December Draw to chase Gall Harmonium with Ocean
Park not making a lot of ground out wider. With 150m to go Glass
Harmonium was starting to tire as Alcopop and Ocean Park started to make
ground. With 100m to go Alcopop was clear of Ocean Park and rapidly
gaining on Glass Harmonium drawing level at the 50m. Glass Harmonium
fought back but Alcopop was too good winning by a neck from the grey
with Ocean Park on their heels in third place. It was his first Group 1
win despite competing at the highest level for years and being so close
numerous times in the past.
After
the Mackinnon Stakes success Alcopop’s next target was set as the Hong
Kong Cup run on International day in December. Could this rejuvenated
8yo travelled overseas and run the Sydney direction and succeed in such
a highly rated event? Connections were confident he could go very close
and after being freshened up for five weeks Alcopop had an exhibition
gallop at Strathalbyn in late November to prepare for the trip.
With
everything going to plan raceday arrived and Alcopop entered the
barriers for the Group 1 race. After being one of the first to be
loaded Alcopop appeared to jump slightly in the air losing ground at the
start being ridden up to the field at the rear but on the rails as they
turned out of the straight. By the 1400m the even pace saw Alcopop
following Carlton House who in turn was right behind California Memory
all on the rails. As the pace slackened Alcopop was shunted to a
clear last as Carlton House and California Memory were checked in front
of him with all then left flatfooted as the pace quickened again.
Around the home turn California Memory was ready to pounce as Alcopop
started his run along the fence as the field fanned wider. California
Memory hit the front by the 200m as Alcopop was winding up along the
inside and starting to sprint home strongly. In the final 50m Alcopop
charged away from Carlton House and inside other runners to finish a
strong third behind winner California Memory. It was the best
performance by an Australian trained horse since 2008 where Apache Cat
was placed in the International Sprint.
It was
initially planned to spell on return to Australia and prepare for the
spring but during the autumn it was announced that Alcopop would be
retired and continue on to equestrian sports. He paraded at
Morphettville on SA Derby Day in May 2013 so the fans could farewell him
from the track.
The
accolades had not finished yet though at the TRSA (Thoroughbred Racing
SA) Awards night in August 2013 Alcopop was named SA Horse of the Year
ahead of a strong field headed by Group 1 winners Happy Trails and
Miracles of Life.
Alcopop
had 34 starts for 10 wins and 6 placings winning 1.9 million in
stakesearnings.
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