85th Stakes winner for Cape Cross

Cape Cross five-year-old Ruscello became the 85th worldwide Stakes winner for his sire, recording an all-the-way win in the G3 Lexus Stakes at Flemington, November 2.

After winning four of his 16 starts in Europe, Ruscello was purchased by Australian interests and made his debut in his new homeland with an impressive second over 10f at Caulfield last month. The Ed Walker-trained gelding improved off that run beating a quality field of stayers in the Lexus Stakes, all vying for a spot in Tuesday’s $6million Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Bred by Ballymacoll Stud Farm, Ruscello is out of Royal Academy mare Sea Picture, a half-sister to G1 winner Hellenic who is the dam of G1 winners Islington, Greek Dance and Mountain High.

The sire of 14 Stakes winners in 2013, Cape Cross will stand the 2014 breeding season at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €30,000.