Whisky On The Hill redeemed himself after missing out on the Melbourne Cup by winning the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m), securing a $200,000 bonus for his owners.
Trained by Glen Thompson, Whisky On The Hill powered through cold, wintry conditions with jockey Damian Lane to outpace Etna Rosso. Japanese contender Golden Snap challenged in the final stretch but finished third.
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes serves as a consolation race for stayers who miss the Melbourne Cup, often dubbed the race that stops the nation. Half of the dozen runners in the Queen Elizabeth were eligible for the $200,000 bonus reserved for stayers nominated for the Cup.
“Very satisfying to get this result. He hasn’t had a lot go his way all prep,” Thompson said. “He’s been racing really well and I was very concerned when the rain came.”
Raise a glass 🥃 WHISKY ON THE HILL proves too strong in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes to cap a stellar Stakes Day performance. 🎉 @wwos | #MelbCupCarnival
Author’s summary: Whisky On The Hill overcame disappointment and tough conditions to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, earning a $200k bonus and rewarding loyal connections.