Single Gaze, the diminutive mare who raced in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup placing 17, didn’t win the race that stops the nation, however, she won the respect of a nation and captured the hearts of a racing public in a honest and tough effort in the 3200 metre race.
Such was the money laid on the Harden born mare pre-race, TAB would have had a big loss, with supporters in Canberra, country New South Wales and Australia getting behind her after her second placing to Boom Time in the Caufield Cup 2 weeks prior.
Single Gaze was in the perfect spot before she was squeezed inwards by Almandin inside the first 200 metres of the race. She was then caught wide for much of the 2 mile race and struggled to find rhythm at the home turn. Jockey Kathy O’Hara praised her mount, “She was brave I just couldn’t win from where we were.”
Single Gaze’s run in the cup marked her 6th race this preparation and it is unclear whether she will continue on towards Christmas or head for a spell in the paddock. The 5 year old mare is certainly going to be bred to some high quality stallions post racing career. With 28 starts including 5 wins 6 seconds and 3 thirds and prize money worth over $2 million dollars, her owners will have some yearlings which should fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Her record includes the Group 1 Vinery Stud over 2000 metres.
