Riding in the minor one star event Davies, who finished second behind Sydney 2000 gold medallist Stuart Tinney in the major three star last year, was riding a new horse Queen’s Ransom she has only been training for two years.

The 7 year old gelding covered the 4250 metre course with its 23 obstacles 34 seconds under the optimum time of 8 minutes 10 seconds.

Two years ago Davies purchased chestnut gelding from the racetrack, the horse being owned and trained by the Colin Alderson and his family.

His racing name was Forecourt and he is by the stallion Pompeii Court and out of a Showdown mare. He came to Australia from New Zealand as a yearling and was purchased by the Alderson family from his previous owner.

But unlike his half brother Ancient City, a group one winner and Melbourne Cup runner, Forecourt did not run well on the race track.

But yesterday he proved not only could he stay but he could also make up a lot of ground after wasting precious seconds dealing with a water problem.

“He went over the fence and into the water and then suddenly realised he was getting his feet wet and put in a full prop” said Davies displaying a bump on her forehead which she sustained when the horse through his head up.

“Apart from that he gave it to me all the way, he was awesome”, said Davies.

Davies said she has found that Queens Ransom is very easy to train, particularly at dressage.

“He is very kind and very trainable and a bit of a sook. That’s probably why he's not still on the race track”, joked Davies.

Davies is leading NSW rider Sammi McLeod on Scrumpy Jack in the one star by seven points.

However in today's main event, the three star, it will be Davies who will be doing the chasing.

McLeod who is riding Frederick Hunter leads the Melbourne International after a top score in the dressage phase on Friday.

After finishing on 43.6 points McLeod took over the lead midway through the day but Victorian Amanda Ross on Wynella Rialto came in with a score of 45.6 to offer McLeod a challenge.

The other rider breathing down McLeod’s neck at this stage is the 1999 winners Christine Bates and Masterpiece on 47.8 while Sam Lyle, NSW, on Foxdale Royal Venture is in fourth place 48 points.

Another Victorian rider David Middleton, who late last year won the prestigious Adelaide International Four Star Event late last year is in fifth place riding the grey gelding RUNVS. The combination finished on 52.6.

Davies who finished second to Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney, NSW, in this event last year is currently in 6^th place riding the same horse Queen’s Consort.

It can be expected that the tough cross-country course will sort out the leader board and for Davies it is another case of picking a good horses off the track.

Queen's Consort is the former Candour Quest by Candour who had a less than spectacular career in Queensland winning just $300 in his thirteen starts.

But in his “second life” he has turned out to be a top eventer and a top dressage horse, he and Davies being members of the Australian Young Riders Dressage Squad.

Today’s section of the event starts at 9.00 am at Werribee Park but the main cross-country run will start at around midday.

Media Release - Di Gatehouse