Qewy adds finishing touch to an outstanding Australian journey

An Australian odyssey that began tentatively enough in early October ended in unimagined triumph with the win of of Qewy in Saturday’s Listed Sandown Cup.

Qewy came to Australia as one of a five-horse team carefully selected by Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby to “have a look around and see how we go”, and goes home as the winner of two races and more than A$500,000.

Along with his stablemates Francis Of Assisi, Oceanographer and Scottish, the Appleby selection collected four wins with Scottish finishing second in the G1 Caulfield Cup and Qewy winning the G3 Geelong Cup, the Sandown Cup and finishing fourth in the G1 Melbourne Cup.

In total, they earned more than A$1.5 million, tripling their combined lifetime earnings in the UK.

Qewy leaves Australia on Wednesday as the star of the team, albeit a weary one.

“The Melbourne Cup took a bit out of him, but he was still too good today,” said assistant trainer James Ferguson who has guided the team through their Australian preparation.

“He’s such a good horse, genuine and brave.

“I can’t tell you how proud the whole team is of him and our other horses. They’ve all run their hearts out.”

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who was also aboard Qewy in his Geelong win, bounced the gelding straight to the front and had him travelling sweetly for the entire 3200m journey.

With 1000m to run, McEvoy turned up the pressure and it was clear he had most of his opponents struggling.

In the run to the line only the former German galloper Swacadelic offered a challenge, getting to within a half-neck of Qewy. All I Survey held on to third, a further 3-3/4 lengths away.

Qewy’s victory also made it 13 weekends in succession that a Godolohin-trained runner has won at least one Stakes race in Australia, the sequence including three G1 wins.