Jockey Harry Coffey produces daring ride on Duke De Sessa to win Caulfield Cup

Ben Sutton
7NEWS Sport
Harry Coffey celebrates after winning the Caulfield Cup.
Harry Coffey celebrates after winning the Caulfield Cup. Credit: Channel 7

Jockey Harry Coffey has produced a “daring” ride on Duke De Sessa to trump favourite Buckaroo in a thrilling Caulfield Cup on Saturday.

Coffey made his move with 600m to go before holding off Buckaroo at the finish.

Buckaroo closed quickly, but was never really in the hunt as Duke De Sessa ($11) sealed the victory.

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“A daring win,” Matt Hill said in commentary.

It capped an incredible double for trainer Ciaron Maher, who had just won The Everest at Randwick.

Coffey was lost for words after achieving the victory on his birthday.

“I don’t know how to describe this. How am I feeling? Spectacular!” He told Channel 7.

“When I let rip I thought, ‘maybe I’ve gone too early’, but one thing you can count on with Ciaron Maher and this amazing team he has, you can back their horses in.

“They’ll just keep running and because of Ciaron, this horse’s owners, his staff, and, more importantly, the horse, I’ve been involved in a day I’ll never forget, on my birthday.

“It’s not supposed to happen to people like myself. I’m considered a battler.

“People like to like about how I’m a battler and a country boy but not many Caulfield Cups get won by country boys.”

Maher said Duke De Sessa appreciated the soft 6 track at Caulfield, and paid tribute to Coffey for wasting to make his light 52kg handicap.

“The horse had the right form going in. He had four 2000 metre runs, and going to the mile and a half, and he loves a bit of cut in the track, it worked out,” he told Channel 7.

“How good Harry Coffey? I was talking to him after the horse’s last run. He said he likes losing weight when he’s got a chance.

“Fair play to him. He rode him confidently and he rode him well, and it was a pretty easy watch.

“He’s a lovely horse he had a lot of ability. He was just a bit aggressive as a colt. He was gelded and he’s just come back a nicer horse. The team has done a great job.

“He’s got a bit of cut in the track his last couple of runs which really helped him, and today for his grand final, spot on.”

There was drama before the race when Warmonger broke through the gates and delayed the start.

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