Sir Lucan has joined a rare club, becoming just the third horse in nearly 70 years to claim the Winter Cup (2400m) twice.
After a lacklustre first-up run, the Tulloch Lodge stayer bounced back at Rosehill with a strong on-pace performance under jockey Adam Hyeronimus.
Taken forward early from a wide gate, Sir Lucan ($21) tracked stablemate and favourite Bear On The Loose ($3) before edging past him in the straight to score by three-quarters of a length. Hopeful ($31) finished third.
“He loves the Winter Cup,” said stable rep Neil Paine.
“He won it last year and he’s won it this year… I don’t think he has won in between.”
Hyeronimus said replicating last year’s tactics was key.
“He needs to be ridden like that… he’s done a good job and he was tough late,” he said.
“Just book me for this race next year.”
Sir Lucan’s part-owners, Adam and Monique Annetts, now head to Royal Ascot to watch Storm Boy in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m).
“They’ll be flying first class now,” quipped Paine.