Mark Kavanagh fought back tears after Cox Plate winner Maldivian made a spectacular return to racing at Caulfield to win the Group One C F Orr Stakes (1400m).Kavanagh danced for joy in the mounting yard as the six-year-old defied the racing pattern to lead all the way and beat fast finisher Alamosa by a neck with Theseo three-quarters of a length away third.Jockey Michael Rodd had to talk Kavanagh out of switching away from Maldivian's normal on-pace racing style after the trainer watched winner

Mark Kavanagh fought back tears after Cox Plate winner Maldivian made a spectacular return to racing at Caulfield to win the Group One C F Orr Stakes (1400m).

Kavanagh danced for joy in the mounting yard as the six-year-old defied the racing pattern to lead all the way and beat fast finisher Alamosa by a neck with Theseo three-quarters of a length away third.

Jockey Michael Rodd had to talk Kavanagh out of switching away from Maldivian's normal on-pace racing style after the trainer watched winner after winner come from back in the field all day.

"Just before the race I got cold feet because of the pattern of racing," admitted Kavanagh who rarely instructs Rodd on race plans.

"Tactically Michael has things sorted out but I didn't think he could win by leading and I said to him maybe we should go back and swoop them.

"He just said 'not today mate, we will be right. We will just off the fence at 800m and keep going'."

And keep going is what Maldivian did.

Searching for the better ground on a track that was chopping out, Rodd steered Maldivian to the centre of the course rounding the home and dared the horses behind to beat him.

Rodd said he could not believe the dominance of Maldivian who had never before won first-up from a spell.

"That was the easiest Group One win I have had," Rodd said.

"Whobegotyou was a pretty easy Group One in the Caulfield Guineas but I had to do a bit more on him.

"Today I just had to sit and steer.

"I knew he was going peak inside last furlong and at the 100 metres he blew out.

"But he is a horse who doesn't give in.

"He still gives you another furlong at top pace if he can. He will gut himself but he will get there."

Kavanagh was emotional as he acknowledged the way Maldivian defied the racing pattern.

He said Maldivian was vulnerable on Sunday but would be fitter for his next two assignments in the Group Two St George Stakes (1800m) in two weeks and Group One Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 7.

"He was a sitting shot today. They had their chance to beat him but they couldn't and he has still got improvement in him," Kavanagh said.

Saintly (1996-97) was the last horse to win the Cox Plate and Orr Stakes. 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.

Nash Rawiller said Theseo's run was full of merit but he peaked on his run near the line.

Craig Newitt said he felt Light Fantastic (fourth) was going to win on the home turn..

"On face value little bit disappointing. He started to feel the pinch last furlong and he will definitely benefit from the run.

Luke Nolen said 2007 Cox Plate winner El Segundo (ninth) was still working up to his peak.