Picture: TODD’S PHOTOGRAPHICS
THIS year is one many of us will like to forget in time to come, but veteran Oakbank trainer Barry Brook will always have fond memories of 2020.
Since the New Year kicked in, his seven-year-old gelding Sasun has been a model of consistency with four wins from six starts, the latest at Bordertown on Sunday.
That was in the $22,500 Millicent Cup when Sasun stepped up to open company for the first time and passed with flying colours.
For Brook, it was his first Limestone Coast cup victory for longer than he could recall.
Brook was based at Penola nearly 50 years ago before moving to Oakbank and the cup win came about thanks to a plan hatched some weeks ago.
“We set him for the Millicent Cup about a month ago as there was no suitable race for him back home,” he said.
“He had been racing well and it was decided to have a crack at this (the Millicent Cup) before he goes for a spell.
“Sasun has been in work for around 12 months and he will now head to the paddock for around 2-3 months.”
Winning jockey Emily Finnegan dropped Sasun ($5-$3.90) out to a clear last and did not make her move until the 600-metre mark.
Once in top gear, Sasun rounded up his more experienced rivals to convincingly win his eighth career race.
It was a huge effort from the third placegetter Woolsthorpe Store, who sat three wide for much of the journey at his first run for 12 months, while fellow Mount Gambier galloper Muntham Missile
(fourth) also caught the eye at her first start in open company.
Dyagilev ($10-$5) was one of the best backed runners in the cup and tired about leading to miss the placings.
It was a day for doubles with Mount Gambier trainer Richard Nicholson (two $10 winners), apprentice Anna Jordsjo and senior jockey Jeff Maund all having multiple success.
The Nicholson stable is having its best season for many years, so much so that Nicholson has now climbed to fourth on the Limestone Coast trainer’s premiership.
It was a dark day for most punters with just one favourite successful in the eight races.
CAREER BEST VICTORY
THE speedy Olatunji gave Nicholson his double in the 1200-metre BM 68 handicap by leading all the way.
Olatunji ($7.50-$10) dropped back in distance and weight, but rose considerably in class (from BM 58) from his previous effort when second at Mount Gambier to compliment what has been a successful campaign.
It what was easily the pinnacle of Olatunji’s career on Sunday as he beat some talented opposition to make it three wins and two placings from six starts this preparation.
Before Sunday, the Nicholson trained Bodidley had run nine placings from 26 starts.
His well-beaten first-up eighth at Mount Gambier over a fortnight ago gave punters no reason to be confident of his chances in the 1550-metre maiden.
Bodidley’s most recent placing had been a distant third at Nhill on Boxing Day last year.
Punters pinned their faith on River ($2.70-$2.35 fav.) which led and was given no peace by Bodidley.
From the top of the straight it was Bodidley ($6.50-$10) which rallied strongly as River punctured to finish fifth.
Jockey Paul Gatt injured his shoulder on Starquest as the field was released in the 2000-metre maiden/class 1.
He was in considerable discomfort all race and was stood down from further rides on the program.
Victory went to the outsider Swankytoff, an 11-length third at Port Augusta the previous start, who ran to the lead on the home turn and simply outstayed his opponents.
GAINING CONFIDENCE WITH EVERY RIDE
TEENAGE apprentice Jacob Opperman has been only riding for just over a month and has already ridden a winner at the past three Limestone Coast meetings.
Opperman was in the winner’s stall after a confidence-boosting ride on the Adelaide galloper
Like A Heartbeat in the 1000-metre maiden.
The David and Chantelle Jolly trained gelding was only having his third career start following two recent unplaced runs at Gawler.
Like A Heartbeat ($7-$8.50) was given a charmed run just off the pace and then had last crack at the heavily backed favourite Lucian ($4.80-$3).
Lucian, having his first start since arriving from New South Wales, was set a task after racing three wide before charging to the lead at the top of the straight.
Also obliged to race three wide in the 1200-metre maiden handicap was Ace Of Clubs, but the Murray Bridge owned and trained gelding still proved too good.
The win completed the double for Jordsjo and upset a hefty plunge on Out Proven ($5.50-$2.70 fav.) which had no excuses after being given the run of the race by replacement rider Jason Holder.
Simply Vein, who had only beaten one runner home at two previous career runs, was among the tail-enders at the top of the straight before rocketing home for fifth.
NEW LEASE OF LIFE
SINCE transferring to the Michael O’Leary stable, Bright Belle has been a rejuvenated galloper and made it two wins from as many starts this campaign in the 1550-metre BM 58 handicap.
After winning first-up by an impressive 7.5 lengths at Mount Gambier on May 15, Bright Belle was heavily backed on Sunday ($2.30-$1.95) and again won with something in hand.
The five-year-old mare was given plenty of time to settle by apprentice Libby Halliday before a long sustained run from the rear of the field saw her have her rivals covered from the furlong pole.
Halliday’s success gave Millicent Cup day some local flavour as the apprentice was born and bred in Rendelsham.
Apprentice Margaret Collett chalked up her second win in the Limestone Coast this season, both at Bordertown, when Miami Freedom worked hard at both ends of the final event.
The Travis Doudle trained mare won first up at Oakbank last campaign and resumed on Sunday to lead all the way after a battle to cross and lead and then defy the heavily backed
Rustydustysunshine ($17-$4.20 fav.) in the final 200 metres.
Racing continues next weekend when the Apsley Racing Club conducts its annual race meeting for the first time at Casterton on Saturday.
Ride of the day: Jacob Opperman (Like A Heartbeat).
Black bookers: Simply Vein, Woolsthorpe Store, Muntham Missile.
Trial winner: Denreklaw (Sue Murphy).
