Racing: Quintessential wins twice at Eagle Farm

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An epic battle between Quintessential and Manighar in the weight-for-age Eagle Farm Cup on Saturday had a dramatic aftermath in the stewards' room.

Ridden by Damian Browne, Quintessential ($5.50) fought off a determined challenge from Manighar ($3.20) to win by a short head with Voila Ici ($14) three-quarters of a length away third.

But Manighar's jockey Brad Rawiller protested against Quintessential for interference out of the straight the first time and again during the final 100m.

"In the first instance, Damian Browne was clearly only a length in front of me and I didn't have any option other than to ease my horse and lose my rightful running. In the straight he's continued to come out which forced me to stop riding with the whip and go back to hands and heels. Considering the margin was a short head I felt it's cost me the race."

Browne said he had no bearing on Manighar losing ground in the early part of the race and denied bumping Manighar in the straight. Stewards deliberated for five minutes before dismissing Rawiller's protest.

"We can't be satisfied had those two incidents not have occurred Manighar would've beaten home Quintessential," chief steward Wade Birch said. "We believe Quintessential is holding a margin quite comfortably on the line and therefore dismiss the protest."

Quintessential's trainer John Sargent said the mare would attempt to improve on her outstanding Eagle Farm record in next week's Brisbane Cup. "She grows a leg here and is a great little fighter," he said.

Lights Of Heaven, the $2.80 favourite, was given every chance by jockey Luke Nolen but laboured in the straight to finish fifth. "She was very one-paced from the start and didn't finish the race off at all."

Trainer Pat Carey won't commit Gondokoro to a Cups campaign despite her dominant win in the Queensland Oaks later on the card.

Gondokoro ($4.40) responded to a superb tactical ride by jockey Rhys McLeod to win the Oaks by 2 lengths from Miss Zenella ($9), with Vaquera ($10) two lengths away third.

Carey will delay a decision on whether Gondokoro is aimed at a Caulfield-Melbourne Cups campaign until after he speaks with the filly's owner Trevor Delroy. "Let's not lose sight of what it takes to win a Caulfield or a Melbourne Cup."

Carey praised the toughness of Gondokoro, who began her current campaign in February.

"She's got the constitution to be a good stayer and she's held her form since she ran in The Roses at Doomben a fortnight ago."

McLeod took full of advantage of barrier one aboard Gondokoro who tracked favourite Dear Demi ($2.90) from the outset.

When Dear Demi's jockey Nash Rawiller decided to leave a trailing position on the fence, it enabled McLeod to improve quickly aboard Gondokoro to be in a challenging spot on the home turn.

- AAP