A long time ago, there was a children’s story about a little girl who doubted the whole Christmas thing. The end result of the tale was that she became convinced that Christmas was real and the tag line to the story was “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”.

Corey Brown and the Godolphin Team must have been able to relate to that after the re-run of the Sydney Cup. It really was a Sydney Cup to remember.

First up, there was the fact that Polarisation was able to peak twice over two miles in two weeks. A simply outstanding training performance and one tough horse. Then look at the videos of the two races – the replay and the original. Corey’s rides were virtually identical in the tactics and the outcomes. That’s also astonishing.

And then look at the runner-up. Honestly, Who Shot The Barman must get the giggles when the races get to 3200 metres. Second in the 2017 Sydney Cup, fifth in the 2016 Melbourne Cup, fourth in the 2016 Sydney Cup, eleventh in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, second in the 2015 Sydney Cup, third in the 2014 Melbourne Cup, ninth in the 2014 Sydney Cup, won the 2014 Auckland Cup. That’s eight starts over 3200 metres with a decent cheque picked up in 6 of them. Why can’t I get one like that in my paddock?

It doesn’t stop there. Just for good measure, the race also had Lasqueti Spirit, trying to be the first 3 year old filly to salute in 103 years and with a racing pattern that must have been pinched from Stylish Century or Vo Rogue. Add the fact that she was ridden by Bobby El-Issa who has dodged a cancer bullet to come back to race riding and a win would have had all the attributes of a Hollywood tear-jerker. With 800 metres to go and Lasqueti Spirit looking off and gone, it wasn’t a far-fetched thought. Problem was that you never know whether they can run 3200 metres until they do it, and she couldn’t. Just didn’t run the trip. But it was good to see El-Issa let her go to the line without a lot of pressure. There is no point belting a horse home when they have clearly had enough, and El-Issa brought a filly back to the enclosure that still has a future ahead of her. Good horsemanship.

In a real sense, Corey Brown is a comeback kid as well. Even for a top jockey, breaking back into the competitive world that is Sydney racing after four years overseas is a big ask. As he said in the post-race interview, the jockeys room is full of up and coming kids as well as the top riders and it is difficult to re-establish connections with trainers and owners. A Sydney Cup win – twice in two weeks – should help!

All around, a Sydney Cup that will be remembered for lots of good reasons, and a Sydney Cup that even Virginia couldn’t doubt.

Yes Virginia, and yes Corey, there is a Santa Claus!