Polarisation proved that his victory in the first running of the Sydney Cup two weeks ago was no fluke when repeated the effort in a re-run of the race at Randwick on Saturday.

It had been disappointment for Godolphin, trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey Corey Brown when Polarisation was first past the post a fortnight ago, before the event was controversially declared a no-race due to Almoonqith breaking down and subsequent safety concerns.

The tough English stayer had given his all the first time around and once again he couldn't be bettered, despite a late challenge from Big Duke.

"The more of a fight it was, the more he wanted to fight," Brown told Godolphin's travelling foreman, James Ferguson. "He is just so tough."

It was a different scene to when Brown had pulled up a fortnight ago, frustrated at being told his efforts over two miles had counted for nought. This time he had the last laugh.

"I told them they should have left it a fortnight ago - it's going to be the same result," Brown said.

"Very satisfying, obviously with all the media and the drama of a fortnight ago, to come out and actually, I wouldn't say defy all odds, but the history of it, it was definitely leaning against me.

"To come out and win, it is a big relief and to do it in these colours is great."

The victory continues the Appleby yard's remarkable run in Australia and gave him a first group 1 down under after looting the minor races during the Melbourne spring.

"We want to come back again," Ferguson enthused. "I was a bit worried about having to come back here again two weeks later and because people were saying we might not be able to back up.

"This horse is just so tough and he showed that when he was challenged. He just didn't know how to lose.

"He works so hard, this horse. He works and works and wears his heart on his sleeve each day. He deserves it. He gave 110 per cent two weeks ago, he gave 120 per cent today."

It capped a great carnival for Brown, who only returned from Singapore at the start of the year. He was fourth on Menari in the Golden Slipper and on Sense Of Occasion in the Doncaster and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but winning is a lot more fun.

It was a great ride. Polarisation sat fifth with a bit of cover as Lasqueti Spirit went away with her usual big lead. At the 1000m, he moved up and hit the lead with stablemate Penglai Pavilion and Who Shot Thebarman.

"He was barely touching the bridle and it wasn't until we got to about the 1400m that he really got on the bit and travelled up behind the stablemate. Then at about the half-mile I pulled him out of the stablemate's back because it didn't look like he would be going that far," Brown said.

"He gave me a great feel from the 1200m onwards, the same way he did the first time around. It's a big credit to the stable and their staff to get the horse back, obviously having the grand final two weeks ago and me giving him a solid ride in a two-mile race, to back up two weeks later and do the same thing again is a big feather in their cap."

Polarisation held a margin on Who Shot Thebarman, who has now run second in the Sydney Cup twice, right down the straight to win by a head with Big Duke another half-length away in third.

The strength of the winner was reflected by comments made by Blake Shinn and Glen Boss about the placegetters.

"He had every chance. Travelled like the winner. The winner just had 51.5, the telling factor, brave run," Shinn said of Who Shot Thebarman.

While Boss said of favourite Big Duke: "I thought I was the winner at the top of the straight but he just peaked late."

Boss was fined $2000 for breaching the whip rules by six strikes.

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