Trevor Jackson
IT was an almost-perfect run from Jacob Opperman as he guided Wild Willy to the Vigneron’s Cup win last week.
The Lee Creek trained gelding came home wide to overcome Thrill Kill and Splash Some Cash, for Opperman’s first Limestone Coast cup win.
The win followed a second place at Mount Gambier just a week before, which Creek said suited his plans for locally-owned horse.
“From early December we looked at the cup,” he said.
“He placed in Adelaide, then had no luck over 1800.
“I said to the boys I might give him a month between runs and run him at the Mount, if he ran home well it would fit in with the Vignerons Cup.”
Creek said he confident heading into the cup and by the time the field turned for home he knew Wild Willy would claim the win.
“I was a bit concerned at the 600 – he was a bit further back than we thought he would be,” Creek said.
“But he has a great record at Penola and likes to get to the outside, so by the time he got to the mounting yard gate I knew he was going to win.
“It was the first time he has won beyond 1300, so he might be able to run a bit further.”
As for Opperman’s efforts, Creek said he suited Wild Willy.
“He is a pretty difficult horse, hard work,” he said.
“Jacob has a good quiet way about him and is strong and firm, which you need to be with him.
“That’s his fourth or fifth win with him.”
Opperman was pleased to claim the cup win, going in confident of Wild Willy’s ability over the 1700m distance.
“He ran good the start before and we thought 1700 would be his go,” Opperman said.
“We were slightly confident, depending on how the race was run.
“It is my first local cup down here – I have won a Casterton Cup, so this is the first Limestone Coast cup, which was good.”
As the race unfolded Opperman said he didn’t expect to be so far back, but was still confident Wild Willy could run home strongly.
“He switched off and relaxed beautifully during the run which allowed us to keep moving into the race when we wanted to,” he said.
“They went quite hard up in front which allowed us to get going.
“Come the corner I thought he was definitely going to get there.
“It was just a matter of picking up the second horse, which we did.
“He always goes good at Penola.”
