Cosmic Crusader gives Andrea Leek her first Group 1 in Turnbull Stakes

Cosmic Crusader has given Andrea Leek her first Group 1 victory, running down Light Infantry Man to win the Turnbull Stakes over 2000 metres at Flemington on Saturday.

William Pike rode the six-year-old gelding to his 11th win from 22 starts and registered his own 19th Group 1 victory.

Cosmic Crusader ($8) beat the Ciaron Maher-trained Light Infantry Man ($26), ridden by Harry Coffey, by 1¾ lengths. Chris Waller’s Aeliana ($3.80), with Damian Lane aboard, was another length away in third.

Light Infantry Man led by more than four lengths turning for home before Cosmic Crusader reeled him in down the Flemington straight.

The New Zealand-bred son of Maurice and Cosmic Storm took his earnings to $2.5 million. A homebred for Bob Peters, he won the 2025 Northerly Stakes at Ascot for Michael Grantham before moving to Leek’s Pakenham stable.

Cosmic Crusader had already won the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes and Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes this campaign for Leek.

“He’s a tricky horse but I sent a message to Bob (Peters) this morning, there’s no excuses today. He’s spot on and thank God I was right,” Leek said.

Leek had seen Cosmic Crusader work on heavy ground at Pakenham before an earlier race.

“He went across the top of it like it was a good track. I was pretty confident he would handle the wet,” she said.

Sir Delius, last year’s Turnbull winner, finished fourth for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

“I don’t think he got through the track. I don’t think he was at home plus he is also chasing a really hot speed,” jockey Craig Williams said.

Cosmic Crusader’s spring program remains in Peters’ hands.

“We’ll leave that up to Bob, whether he goes a Cox Plate path or a Caulfield Cup, but it’ll be one of them,” Leek said.