Romantic Warrior has become the fourth northern hemisphere-trained winner of the Cox Plate, beating Mr Brightside in a photo finish.
Ridden by James McDonald, who backed up his win last year aboard Anamoe, Hong Kong’s premier middle-distance galloper surged on the line to win Australasia’s weight-for-age championship by a nose.
Cult hero Alligator Blood, who led at the 200m mark, finished third for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Earlier, short-priced favourite Imperatriz claimed the $2 million Manikato Stakes with a dominant performance for trainer Mark Walker and jockey Opie Bosson.
The star Kiwi mare led from start to finish in her seventh Group 1 triumph, with I Am Me and Uncommon James filling the minor placings.
MORE TO COME