Headliner lands Independence Cup

Headliner turned the Independence Cup into a one-horse contest, leading from the start and winning the 1,800-metre Group 1 feature at Santa Rosa Park. The 4/5 favourite was ridden by Noel Abrego and trained by John O’Brien.

Moved from turf to a sloppy track because of wet conditions, the four-year-old chestnut colt broke sharply from gate five. He travelled in the four path, saw off an early challenge from Valiante and pulled clear entering the home stretch. Headliner finished in 1 minute, 51.54 seconds, with enough in reserve to win comfortably.

Hello World finished second after Valiante faded. The result continued a strong day for favourites, who won all six races on the card.

Just Isabella won the opening 1,100-metre race on firm turf at odds of 7/5. Princess Venus then took the 1,350-metre second race by five and three-quarter lengths. Mona Lisa won the 1,200-metre third race after rain made the track sloppy, while Stock Broker claimed the fourth over 1,350 metres in 1:23.2. Sweet Bird, another 3/5 shot trained by O’Brien, won the fifth race.