The first weekend of Spring proved a successful one for the stable taking out a staying cups double along with a stakes runner up.
On Friday the team had two runners line up in the listed Mona Lisa with Sanstoc running a gallant second, aided by a great rails ride from Tom Sherry. The Tavistock mare was slightly unlucky not to have claimed victory after coping interference from the 50m mark, however we were delighted with the mare’s first start for the stable. The five-year-old will now progress to G3 Tibbie run on Newcastle Cup day on the 15th.
The following race saw Benaud claim the Listed Wyong Gold Cup over 2100m. The son of Reliable Man proved too strong over the final furlong and was the beneficiary of an excellent ride in chaotic circumstances from Dylan Gibbons. This was the first black type victory for the five-year-old after several stakes minor placings, he will now progress to the G2 Kingston Town over 2000m a race which he ran second in last year. Our thoughts and condolences go out to all the riders and connections who were involved in the mid race fall.
A just result for his very deserving owners: Mr C E Holt, Mystery Downs, Mrs C M Cook, Laurel Oak Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Mr M Fitzgibbon, Mr J D Horrigan, Mr G J Burton, Mr D A Jeffery, Mr P T Blair, Mr G W Aldridge, Mr M J Clift, Mr M S Riley, Tiani Vlei, Mrs C A Cushnahan, Finemore Thoroughbreds, Mrs S Wilson, Mr C J Reynolds
The second of the stakes double came on Saturday when OTI import Athabascan took out the Listed Lexus Tattersalls Cup. The son of Almanzor looped the field prior to the home turn and it proved a master stroke from Tom Sherry who yet again provided a first class ride, the five-year-old proved too tough for his rivals running out a very strong mile and a half. The native Frenchman will now look to target either the Newcastle Cup on the 15th or the G3 Colin Stephen Stakes on the 23rd at Rosehill.
Congratulations to all his winning connections: O T I Racing, Mr F W Cook, Mrs C M Cook, Mr L Webb, Ms D McKeown, Mr T Needham, Mr R Menchise, Mr L D Freeman, The French King, Mr A H Goodfellow, Mrs K Milliken, Mr J P Spence, Mrs J T Spence, Mr J M Gurrieri, Mr J C Higgins, Mr M P Hay, Mr D N McRae, Mr R B Gold, Mr M McKelvie
