Complacent and Hauraki were separated by a wafer-thin margin after a thrilling finish to Group Three APN Outdoor Craven Plate over 10 furlongs at Royal Randwick, Australia on Saturday, October 3.
Complacent and Hauraki were separated by a wafer-thin margin after a thrilling finish to Group Three APN Outdoor Craven Plate over 10 furlongs at Royal Randwick, Australia on Saturday, October 3.
The two Godolphin runners, who finished clear of the third I'm Imposing, fought for the spoils from a furlong and a half out when Complacent, with James McDonald up, came through to lead after racing in second for most of the way.
The five-year-old Authorized horse was almost immediately challenged by the Joao Moreira-ridden Hauraki, who had been held up in seventh before progressing on the outside turning in.
Hauraki, a four-year-old son of Reset, led by the distance and then it was a ding-dong battle, with Complacent rallying to gain the advantage close home.
The winning distance was a nose and the time came to 2m 1.84s on good going.
The two horses both are on target for the Group One Caulfield Cup (12f) at Caulfield on October 17.
Trainer John O'Shea commented: "Complacent began well and box-seated off a fast pace. He rolled back towards the inside rail against the pattern and, approaching the corner, he had to drag the field up to the runaway leader.
"He then had an epic head-to-head battle with Hauraki for the length of the straight. He scored a fantastic win and it was great to see two Godolphin horses fighting out the finish so strongly - an outstanding performance.
"Hauraki began well into fourth position but then eased to travel at mid-field. Approaching the corner, he made a forward move, angled outward on the corner and went to war with Complacent for the length of the straight.
"He headed Complacent but was unable to hold on, defeated by a flared nostril. He has got himself back in the game. We were desperate for dry ground which he got today and ran accordingly. It was a tremendous effort.
"Complacent has 53kgs in the Caulfield Cup and James has to get on a diet now and hopefully Joao will come back to ride Hauraki with 50kgs.
"I think that they are two nice chances."
James McDonald said: "I am relieved to win on Complacent.
"It is a credit to the horse, he had to drag the whole field up and he did it well.
"The team have done a wonderful job and they deserve all the praise."
Joao Moreira said: "Hauraki is a very honest horse and nearly won - he just needed a little bit more luck."
