Racing: Jessicabeel has O'Shea looking forward to first Tuesday in November

SYDNEY - Basking in the glory of Jessicabeel's Sydney Cup win at Randwick on Saturday, trainer John O'Shea was already looking forward to the first Tuesday in November.

The mare stamped herself a genuine Melbourne Cup prospect with her sustained finish at the end of the gruelling 3200m to the cheers of punters who sent her out the $5 favourite.

There were some hard luck stories and controversy with Zavite ($5.50) and Precedence ($6.50) engaging in a cut-throat speed battle up front in the final half of the race, both compounding to finish second last and last respectively.

But all honours were with the mare who gave champion sire of stayers Zabeel his 41st individual group one winner, just four short of his own sire Sir Tristram.

"I was very confident coming here today," O'Shea said.

"This is very gratifying. We went to New Zealand and bought stayers and now [Rosehill Guineas winner] Zabrasive and this mare have qualified for the Melbourne Cup.

"They have to get there yet but to think we could have two runners in the Melbourne Cup is a dream."

While the speed battle was on up front, Craig Newitt camped Jessicabeel at the tail of the field biding his time.

Coming up the Randwick rise, the pair pounced and wore down last year's runner-up Divine Rebel to score by three-quarters of a length with New Zealander Harris Tweed ($7.50) another length away third.

Jessicabeel won the traditional lead-up, the Chairman's Handicap (2600m) two weeks ago with Craig Williams aboard.

Williams opted to stick with BMW winner Littorio ($10) who didn't seem to run out the distance and finished ninth.

"I chose the wrong horse," a rueful Williams said.

His decision was Melbourne-based Newitt's gain with few top jockeys able to ride at 52kg.

"I bided my time and got on the back of Capecover," Newitt said.

"I was confident a long way out.

"She has a great temperament and a great attitude.

"I'm very happy I was able to pick up the ride with the light weight, it's just great."

Newitt had a bit of extra help with his wife Karli and eight-month son Noah on hand.

"They are my lucky charms, I don't go anywhere without them," he said.

New Zealand trainer Topweight Zavite will also be given a spell with Melbourne in mind.

Trainer Anthony Cummings was disappointed but philosophical having already won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Road To Rock.

"I don't blame Damien [Oliver], Luke Nolen went too hard on Precedence," he said.

"I though it was extraordinary."

Stewards questioned Nolen over his decision to move forward on Precedence with the jockey saying he was trying to do the best by his horse.

"He pulled so hard and I thought he can't run two miles pulling that hard," Nolen said.

"I was told to try to keep him on the outside of horses because when he feels horses around him he gets on his bike.

"He just pulled too hard."

* Hot Danish finally cracked it for a group one win when she led all the way to win the All-Aged Stakes.

The Les Bridge-trained Hot Danish had been denied victory at the elite level seven times before, including her last-start second to Melito in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) two weeks ago.

But the step up to 1400m on Saturday gave regular jockey Tim Clark the opportunity to dictate the pace of the All-Aged, which he did to perfection.

The 6-year-old led under a good hold and when Clark asked for an effort in the straight she proved too good, turning the tables on Melito who tried valiantly in the run to the line.

Beaded ran home well down the outside for third.

"I've got two words to say," an emotional Bridge said. "Dry track."

He was referring to Hot Danish's well-known dislike for rain-affected going.AAP