Spunlago proved he was the class act of the field to take out the Ted Ryder Cup at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Coming off a fourth in the Wodonga Cup last time out, the Ron Stubbs-trained seven-year-old had too much in the straight to take out the summer feature.
He thwarted Chris Heywood’s attempt to win the feature with his pair Class Clown ($8.50) and Not Too Sure ($9.50) finishing in the top four.
Gary Colvin’s Noble Descent ($2.10 fav) rallied late for third.
It looked as though a smart ride from Richard Bensley could have pinched the $32,000 race for Heywood, before Mathew Cahill siddled alongside in the home straight before going on to take a ¾ length victory with the $5 second elect.
Stubbs was impressed with the top weight’s effort after carrying 61 kilograms.
“The weight was our biggest fear coming into the race,” Stubbs said.
“We thought we had the best horse, but whether he carried the weight was the question.
“But fortunately he has.”
Stepping down in grade after his past few efforts, Stubbs had but was surprised to see Spunlago settle just behind the speed.
However after a four-week gap in racing, the change in pattern didn’t hurt his finish as he stormed to his 10th win in 39 starts
“He was travelling well and he usually gets a bit further back in his races,” Stubbs said.
“Mat said he was a little bit keener today but it was a slowly run race and it just panned out well.”
After finishing less than two lengths behind Gold Fields in the $100,000 feature on the border Stubbs always had this race in mind.
It was a thrill to win it.
“Fortunately I had the pleasure of knowing Ted Ryder so it is an honour to win it,” Stubbs said.
Spunlago is now headed to the paddock for a short break with an eye to the Albury Gold Cup carnival in March.
Cahill made it a race-to-race double when Rock ‘N’ Roller charged home late to win for Wagga trainer Wayne Carroll.
It was almost a treble after finishing a nose away with Jaytee’s The Fox after picking up the ride after Rebeka Prest was taken to hospital following a fall.
Meanwhile Colvin and apprentice jockey Blaike McDougall bookended the meeting.
They took out the first with Bravado Lass before Forever Newyork tasted success in the last of the eight races.
Racing continues in the Southern Districts with the traditional Boxing Day meeting at Tumut.
There is a five-race card with the first at 1.30pm.
It is the last meeting in the region for the year.
READ MORE
