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Hauraki second in G1 Emirates Stakes

Mike Hedge

The opportunity of a second Godolphin G1 win at the Melbourne Spring Carnival narrowly evaded the talented Hauraki when he finished second in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, November 5.

The winner of the G1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick two starts back, Hauraki (John O’Shea/James McDonald) ran close to his best against a high-class field that included the French G1 winner Vadamoss.

But after looming as a winning chance at the 200m, Hauraki couldn’t match the winner Awesome Rock, going to the line in a dead-heat for second with Seaburge.

“That was a great run from the horse and a great ride from James,” O’Shea said.

“His Epsom win was one of the best runs you could see and this wasn’t far behind. 

“As always, the credit goes to the whole team, Sydney and Melbourne, for the work they’ve done keeping him in the condition he was in today.

“He had a tough run in the Cox Plate two weeks ago, but they’ve got him back and he showed the benefit of it out there in his race.”

The second placing left the local Godolphin team with three G1 wins for the season so far, thanks to wins by Astern in the Golden Rose at Rosehill and Hartnell in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Astern also finished second in the G1 Coolmore Classic at Flemington last month while Hartnell was second in the G1 Cox Plate and third in the G1 Melbourne Cup.