A SURPRISE win in yesterday's $110,000 Kilmore Cup has revived Alcopop's chances of winning the $1 million Australian Cup (2000 metres) at Flemington next month, reports The Age (www.theage.com.au).Its report adds: The six-year-old South Australian took racing by storm two years ago when he scored a commanding win in the group 2 Herbert Power Handicap at Caulfield and just weeks later was favourite when unplaced in Shocking's Melbourne Cup.Last autumn trainer Jake Stephens took the horse to Sydn
A SURPRISE win in yesterday's $110,000 Kilmore Cup has revived Alcopop's chances of winning the $1 million Australian Cup (2000 metres) at Flemington next month, reports The Age (www.theage.com.au).
Its report adds: The six-year-old South Australian took racing by storm two years ago when he scored a commanding win in the group 2 Herbert Power Handicap at Caulfield and just weeks later was favourite when unplaced in Shocking's Melbourne Cup.
Last autumn trainer Jake Stephens took the horse to Sydney for weight-for-age races but he was struck down by a mystery virus and returned home after failing in three starts. Last spring the only glimpse of form the stayer showed was a fast-finishing second to So You Think in the group 1 Caulfield Stakes.
Yesterday, lumping 59 kilograms, Alcopop ($14) settled back in the field but came with a strong run to grab victory on the post. Ridden by Ben Melham, he beat Its Prince ($6) by a short half-head with $3.80 favourite Vivid Vixen a half-head away third.