Council Roars To Del Mar Glory

Student Council posted the best performance of his career to upset seven-time Grade One winner Lava Man at Del Mar on Sunday.

Vladimir Cerin's charge upset a large field at odds of 23-1 when defeating Awesome Gem by half a length in the 1million Pacific Classic Stakes.

Lava Man faded into sixth in the hands of Corey Nakatani.

Student Council ? making his first start for Cerin, having previously been in the care of Neil Howard ? has now earned a place in the Breeders' Cup Classic Field.

'We have to assess the whole situation,' Cerin said of the Classic.

'Everybody wants to win the Breeders' Cup Classic. We tried it once before with Super Frolic, who finished fourth.

'But this was a great, great win.'

Lava Man's trainer Doug O'Neill told www.thoroughbredtimes.com: 'I thought he ran a great race, he just wasn't good enough.

'Corey did a great job. I thought going into the turn he had a big chance. But he ran well.'

(C) PA Sport