For the eighth consecutive year, a foreign-bred has won the $315,000 Group III Geelong Cup.
The Mike Moroney trained Vengeur Masque (IRE) has hardly been a pin-up boy for punters, failing to win
Ridden by Patrick Moloney, the son of Monsun was let to run outside the pacesetting Lizzy L'amoure before hitting the front on straightening the holding on to a half-head win over the favourite Gallic Chieftain (FR) with Violate three-quarters of a length away third.
Vengeur Masque (IRE) follows, Qewy (IRE), Almoonqith (USA) Caravan Rolls On (GB), Ibicenco (GER), Gatewood (GB), Dunaden (FR) and Americain on the Geelong Cup honour board while Media Puzzle (USA) won the race in 2002 before his Melbourne Cup triumph and Bauer (IRE) won in 2008.
Vengeur Masque will attempt to emulate three other sons of Monsun, Fiorente (2013), Protectionist (2014) and Almandin last year to win the Melbourne Cup but it looks like he will need some help from the handicapper to make the field.
The 6yo is eligible for a re-handicap following the win and he is currently down the order in 45th spot.
"We've been tinkering with his gear and getting him to relax and he finally has now," Moroney said.
"We've had a lot of faith in this horse, he's been a slow maturing horse, a really late foal by their terms and he's only just come of age.
"We could have gone to the Caulfield Cup but decided to come here instead because we are really keen on getting him into the Melbourne Cup.
"He's a real two-miler, a similar horse to Brew - when they get stronger they can keep up a strong gallop and he's starting to get there."
Moroney said the gelding may start in the Lexus Stakes on November 4, three days before the Cup.
There's a lot to like about Vengeur Masque's breeding.
Besides being by the all-conquering Monsun, his dam Venetian Beauty (Lear Fan) is a sister to Group II Prix de l'Opera winner Verveine who was multiple Group 1 placed in France.
Verveine is the dam of four stakes winners headed by the Group 1 EP Taylor Stakes winner Volga (Caerleon) and Group 1 Hong Kong Vase winner Vallee Enchantee (Peintre Celebre).
A half-sister to Venetian Beauty, Vanishing Prairie, also left four stakes winners including the dual Group 1 winner Vespone and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon.
