New Zealand galloper Rangirangdoo won today’s Group 2 $200 000 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.
Ridden by Corey Brown the galloper stole back-to-back victory away from premier trainer Mark Kavanagh who won the race last year with Sea Battle.
Lee Freedman’s Sound of Nature was three and a half lengths back as runner-up with All American ridden by Damien Oliver in third.
Rangirangdoo was originally aimed at the Cox Plate, but a decision to miss the weight-for-age championship and run in the Crystal Mile instead was rewarded as he not only won the race but beat the track record.
Lad Of The Manor’s 1600m course record of 1:35.90 was thrashed by almost a second as Rangirangdoo finished in 1:34.96.
The Pentire gelding now boasts seven wins from 13 career starts and the win brings his prizemoney earned past $480 000.
Trainer Chris Waller has said Rangirandoo will gain his next start in either the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington next Saturday or the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at the same track a week later.
