SOUTH Australian galloper Not Usual Glorious came and conquered with an easy all-the-way win in the 2022 Bet365 Apsley Cup at Casterton on Sunday.
Punters who supported the Travis Doudle galloper into a $3.40 favourite had little to worry about as the bold front runner led from barrier rise for a comfortable three-length victory.
Neil Farley fresh off riding a long-priced winner at the Swan Hill carnival was able to dictate the race and prove too good for recent Casterton Cup winner and second-favourite, Brawl.
In stark contrast to the winner, Brawl settled at the rear of the field before Christine Puls weaved a passage to finish strongly, albeit no match for the winner.
The five-year-old winner by Melbourne Cup champion, Fiorente, has built an impeccable record since coming from New Zealand.
From 13 starts he has recorded five wins and more than $170,000 in prizemoney.
In a bunched finished for the placings, Farooq returned to form to grab third from Rolls and Barry The Baptist.
On a day of terrific racing, Billy Egan rode a treble, two of those for trainer Patrick Payne, who produced a double.
Master Sun and The Guava brought solid trial form to the races for solid wins, while the Paul Preusker trained Dothraki lived up to his short price to give Egan his treble.
The biggest win for the day was that of I See You Coming for trainer Lindsey Smith.
Sitting three and four-wide in the Vickery Maiden over 1200m, the three-year-old gelding careered away for a seven-length win with Melissa Julius riding.
Fellow Warrnambool trainers John Howard, Daniel Bowman and Maddie Raymond also won with Pretty Boy, Magnetic Prince and Geraldines Jewel, respectively.
Pretty Boy ridden by South Australian-based jockey, Eran Boyd, came from well back in the field to win at the biggest odds ($31) for the meeting.
Rounding out the winners, Ballarat trainer Tammy Birnie gained a run with second emergency, Trust But Verify, to win the TDC Livestock and Property 0-58 Handicap over 2000m.
Racing returns to Casterton on Sunday, June 26th.
