Consistent stayer Whisky On The Hill (GB) ploughed through deteriorating conditions at Flemington on the final day of the 2025 VRC Melbourne Cup Carnival to win the $300,000, Group 3, Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) in a slogging finish.

The traditional staying event on Day 4 of Flemington’s signature week of the year, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes called on the stamina of a dozen endurance performers — all but two imported — with Whisky On The Hill (GB) getting rewarded for a string of highly commendable performances in the hope of qualifying for last Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.

A winner over 2400m at Mornington in September, a placegetter in the Group 3 Herbert Power and a close-up fifth in the Group 3 Geelong Cup in October, Whisky On The Hill (GB) went into the Queen Elizabeth Stakes off a perfect platform and stayed on best after a consummate distance ride by Damian Lane.   

Ridden just off the pace, the 6-year-old son of Ribchester travelled well into the straight, hit the lead soon after looking the potential winner, was headed by Etna Rosso (Ire) entering the closing stages, but then fought back gamely to score by a clear margin.

On the line, Whisky On The Hill (GB) finished a length in advance of Etna Rosso (Ire) in second, with the visiting Japanese stayer Golden Snap (Jpn) battling on gamely for third — a further length adrift of the runner-up.

Winning rider Damian Lane best described the contest when stating: “It was a slog to the line. I don’t think I’ve ridden a horse going so slowly over the last 100 metres and been able to win. It was a testing 2600 metres, so he really enjoyed it.

“He had always handled wet until his last start and we thought he might not have enjoyed that at Geelong. We were hoping, more than expecting, coming in to today.

“I want to say well done to [trainer] Glen [Thompson]. He’s done a great job with this horse. He deserves a good result and has been a bit stiff this preparation. To get a good result with him is very rewarding.”

Lane added: “I thought he [Etna Rosso] had us beat but the further we got down the straight, the more my bloke fought him off. He showed good tenacity and had a string to his bow with the ground … I’m sure he had aspirations to get in to the Melbourne Cup this year, so hopefully he can get in to it next year.”   

Winning trainer Glen Thompson remarked: “Very satisfying to get this result. He hasn’t had a lot go his way all prep. He’s been racing really well and I was very concerned when the rain came.

“He’s a horse we’ve always had a big opinion of. He was very unlucky in the Bendigo Cup last year and just missed out on getting in to the Melbourne Cup last year. It was unfortunate that he had to miss the autumn this year. He had niggly issues and that put us on the backfoot for this spring, but this puts him in good stead going forward.”

Whisky On The Hill (GB) was returned at $6.50, Etna Rosso (Ire) at $7.00, and Golden Snap (Jpn) at $17.00.

Winning time was 2m49.17s on a track officially rated a Heavy 8 at the time of running.

Whisky On The Hill (GB) hails from an exceptional staying family. Close relations include dual Royal Ascot Gold Cup winner Kayf Tara and Ascot King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Opera House.