Peters Investments notched its fifth victory in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) since 2015 when Cosmic Crusader fought off the late charge of Watch Me Rock in Perth’s weight-for-age championship on Saturday.
The first two home streeted the rest of the field by five lengths at Ascot with Osipenko (Pierro) finishing best of the interstate raiders in fourth place after speeding to the lead for Fred Kersley. Unbeaten 3yo King Of Light (Earthlight) went out a solidly supported $2.50 favourite but was never a factor.
Cosmic Crusader (Photo / Western Racepix) had won the $100,000 TABtouch Stakes (1650m) earlier this season before two setbacks at Group 3 level in November.
He was coming off a last-start victory the LR Carbine Club Stakes (1400m) and Saturday’s win improved his record to 8 wins in 16 starts for earnings over $1.23 million.
He follows Perfect Reflection (More Than Ready), Arcadia Queen (Pierro), Truly Great (Dundeel) and Regal Power (Pierro) who also claimed Northerly victories for Peters Investments in the last decade.
The NZ-bred gelding had won a Belmont juvenile on debut in July 2023 and followed up with another three Ascot wins in his first 10 starts for previous trainer Donna Riordan before a twelve-month, injury-enforced spell.
While the cerise and white silks are a familiar sight at the elite level it was a Group 1 first for trainer Michael Grantham and a second for jockey Clint Johnston-Porter. “I never lost faith,” Grantham said referring to his two losses last month. “I knew there was nothing wrong. It was just a case of no luck in running.”
Cosmic Crusader (5g Maurice – Cosmic Storm by Street Sense) is from a mare who has been a regular cover for Arrowfield Stud sire Maurice (Jpn). She won five black-type races to Group 3 level in the 2016 La Trice Classic (1800m).
Second-dam Stormy Nova (Metal Storm) was also a successful Group 3 winner at Ascot in the 2004-05 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic (1400m). Her other foals include Superstorm (G1 VRC Cantala Stakes), Mikimoto (LR Burgess Queen Stakes) and Royal Command (LR WA Tattersall’s Cup).
