It hasn't been the most rewarding Flemington carnival for Godolphin but they did finish Oaks day in style when the Exceed And Excel filly Jorda claimed the Group III VRC Kennedy Plate (1100m).
Unlike the straight race earlier in the day when the field came down the grandstand side, the Kennedy Plate
The finish was a two-horse race. With Hugh Bowman in the saddle, Jorda was hard up against the inside rail while I Am Excited was scaping the paint on the outside rail.
Jorda claimed the decision by a long-head from I Am Excited (Snitzel) with Smart Coupe (Smart Missile) three and three-quarter lengths back in third. (photos Grant Courtney)
It was her Jorda's first win since capturing the Listed Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick at her career debut in October last year.
"I didn't have a clue if I won or not," Bowman said.
"I could see there was two of us fighting, one inside, one outside.
"This filly gave me a great feel at Moonee Valley last start. She was very unlucky and was suited by the straight, she was ready to run a big race and did that today.
Winning trainer James Cummings said the daughter of Exceed And Excel deserved a win.
'She's been a really good filly and has won a quarter of a million dollars from six starts, she not to be underestimated," Cummings said.
"She unleashed a devastating turn of foot today.
"She stepped up today, I felt she was at her peak, she looked amazing. She really felt that first-[up run in Sydney and the guys in Melbourne have done a great job to keep building her up in condition. She stuck a bit more weight on each week.
"It's great to get a win on the board for those colours with the Fly Emirates logo on for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.
"It's even better before Charlie (Appleby) gets here on Saturday on wins a couple of races on a big day."
Placed in the Group III San Domenico Stakes and Group III Thoroughbred Club Stakes, Jorda advances her record to 2 wins and 2 thirds from 6
A half-sister to the stakes-placegetters Calonia (Flying Spur) and Pursuits (Lonhro), Jorda is the fourth foal of the stakes-placed Viscount mare Montmelo a three-quarter sister to Listed winner Le Mans (Quest For Fame) from the family of Danehill Stakes winner Aichi and Group III winner Detours.
Montmelo has a patchy breeding record. She slipped in 2013 and 2014 before foaling a filly by Lonhro last spring and was covered by Exosphere.
