SUNDAY’S Benchmark 64 Heywood Cup at Casterton produced a winner that should go on to far bigger riches on the racing stage.
The oddly named Rat With Goldtooth gave Horsham trainer Paul Preusker and his jockey Holly McKechnie reasons to be highly optimistic about the future of the four-year-old mare after she was backed to the exclusion of any other runner in the race.
Winner of a lowly Mildura maiden at her previous start, Rat With Goldtooth ($4.80-$2.80 fav.) gave her rivals a start and a beating at Casterton to make it two wins and two seconds from only four career starts.
Rat With Goldtooth was six wide and near the tail of the field at the top of the straight, but mowed down her rivals with consummate ease in the concluding stages.
“We were always at least five deep and she switched off early, so much so I was a bit worried turning for home,” McKechnie told part owner and Netherby publican Reg Sands upon dismounting.
“You have a very serious racehorse on your hands here.” she added.
“We had her entered for a city race next Wednesday, but today’s race was worth just as much and somewhat easier,” Sands said, referring to the fact that Rat With Goldtooth picked up the Vobis Gold incentive of $20,000 on top of first prize of $11,000 for the Heywood Cup.
Ideal spring weather saw one of the biggest Heywood cup crowds for many years in attendance to watch the nine race card on a very safe Heavy 8 track.
Cranbourne trainer Eric Musgrove showed his versatility with a winning double, with a winner on the flat as well as one over the hurdles.
The only Croweater to be in the winner’s circle was apprentice Justin Huxtable, currently on a three month loan to Naracoorte trainer Sue Jaensch.
