KEY POINTS:
MELBOURNE - Triple group one winner El Segundo was beaten but pleased connections with his comeback third to all-the-way winner Monet Rules in Saturday's listed Aurie's Star Handicap at Moonee Valley.
After recovering from a bruised hoof earlier in the week, the 2006Cox Plate runner-up ran on gallantly under his big weight of 62.5kg in the 1200m feature.
El Segundo ($6.50), who had to concede 9.5kg to Monet Rules ($3.60) and 9kg to runner-up Orange County ($3 fav), pleased Damien Oliver who said the steady pace of the race went against his mount.
"The winner really had a picnic in front. He went really slow and he was always going to be pretty hard to run down," Oliver said.
"He (El Segundo) travelled nicely and quickened for me and I was pleased with him. He's on target."
Trainer Colin Little was happy with El Segundo's first-up effort in a campaign aimed at the Cox Plate (2040m) at the Valley on October 27.
"He was quite vulnerable today, being a bit soft in condition having not had a trial and having to carry 62.5kg."
* Laid low by a virus in recent weeks, Gai Waterhouse was back in a big way at Randwick on Saturday.
Looking a little leaner but in good health, racing's leading lady celebrated her first black-type win of the new season when blueblood Sliding Cube ($3.70 fav) scored a tenacious victory in the group three San Domenico Stakes (1000m).
Taken to the front by Blake Shinn, the three-quarter sister to supersire Redoute's Choice and Waterhouse's group one winner Platinum Scissors had to work early and appeared to be under siege from a host of challengers at the top of the straight.
But the diminutive 3-year-old refused to lay down and held on for a long head win over Mimi Lebrock ($5) who steamed home late with Moonboat ($10) a further half-neck back third.
- AAP
