RACING
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CANBERRA stayer Oh Lonesome Me opened the door on a host of new opportunities after a dominant victory in the feature race at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Saturday.
Oh Lonesome Me had never raced over more than 2000 metres but the staying trip of 2500 metres proved no worries on Saturday as he bolted in to claim the Wagga Brothers 2014 Men Of League Cup Benchmark 58 Handicap.
Ridden a treat by John Kissick, Oh Lonesome Me ($4.80) settled at the tail of the field and then hooked to the outside in the straight where he hit the front at the 200m mark and raced away.
The seven-year-old scored a four-length win with Traded ($3.50) second and another two lengths to Koel ($4.40) in third.
Trainer Garry Kirkup moved from Wagga to Canberra a little over 12 months ago and was thrilled to claim the feature at Wagga on Caulfield Cup day.
"It's really good," Kirkup said.
"It's good to know he can run the distance.
"He had never raced over any longer than 2000 metres before so it's good to know he can stretch out to these distances.
"We'll have a look around now and see what's about."
As much as $9.00 was offered about Oh Lonesome Me with the corporates on Friday night and connections were pleasantly surprised with the price on offer.
Kirkup was confident Oh Lonesome Me could win.
"I thought he was the best horse in the race," he said.
"I was really confident.
"Last start he finished off really well and it was a better run than it looked.
"It was good to get cover today and John rode him perfectly."
Kissick was pleasantly surprised by the win.
"He went good," Kissick said.
"The horse is known to be pretty fierce in his races but he relaxed nicely.
"We followed Traded into the race, the danger, and once he got off his back, he didn't look like getting beat.
"It was a good run."
It was Oh Lonesome Me's sixth career victory at start number 40 and took his career earnings past $75,000.