STRONG stayer, Claidheamh Mor, proved too classy for his rivals, taking out the $50,000 Coleraine Cup last Friday.
On a lovely Spring Day in front of a healthy local crowd, the Gemma Rielly trained five-year-old son of Dundeel was given a lovely ride by Will Gordon.
Settling fourth, Gordon made his move at the 600m mark and despite being challenged on the home turn, his staying prowess kicked in to win by over two lengths.
The multiple city winner was given a little freshen up before taking on rivals over the 1800m cup trip.
His previous start was a win at Moonee Valley over 2500m back in July.
Starting a well-supported $1.55 favourite, the gelding defeated Prince Jofra ($5.50) with another length back to the third-placed Aseventy Seven ($10).
An eighth career victory helped the prizemoney earnings extend to $263,875.
Apprentice jockey, Jessica Booth, provided one of the day’s highlights when she recorded her first Victorian win on longshot, Da Deputy.
The 80-1 chance steamed home late to win the Josh Lewis Accounting 0-58 Handicap over 2250m.
In a terrific training performance by David Noonan, the nine-year-old veteran was first-up since March, a significant effort over the staying trip.
Booth’s first Victorian success comes after a win at Berrigan in August.
Riding honours were shared by Jack Hill and Neil Farley with both riders finishing the day with doubles.
Hill won on Inordinate for Gavin Bedggood and The Siscos Kid for Henry Dwyer, who also recorded a double.
Farley also combined with Dwyer to win with Kyteler.
His other winner was courtesy of a lovely ride on Sugar And Sweet for Stawell trainer, Rachel Samsonenko.
Rounding out the meeting, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace training juggernaut produced smart Maiden winner, Yototsu.
Peter Chow continued his good run winning with Navajo Warrier, while the border-hopping Walters family took home the cash when winning with Lynes in the opening race.
Results
Race 1 Hamilton Flooring Xtra Maiden Plate 1400m - 1st Lynes (Kate Walters/Wayne Walters) $19; 2nd Iliad (Neil Farley/Andrew Noblet) $5; 3rd Rouge Moulin (Dom Tourneur/Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) $1.75f.
Race 2 Coleraine Hotel Maiden Plate 1400m - 1st Yototsu (Linda Meech/Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) $1.85f; 2nd Raetihi (Will Gordon/Emma-Lee & David Brown) $4.40; 3rd Zebedee Springs (Laura Lafferty/Patrick Payne) $9.
Race 3 Brandt Maiden Plate 1600m - 1st Navajo Warrior (Tom Madden/Peter Chow) $4.60; 2nd Elle McFearsome (Dean Yendall/Brent Stanley) $12; 3rd Salsita (Dom Tourneur/Emma-Lee & David Brown) $5.
Race 4 Austral Park Merinos 0-58 Handicap 1800m - 1st Inordinate (Jack Hill/Gavin Bedggood) $2.35f; 2nd Starboard Light (Dean Yendall/Mitch Freedman) $8; 3rd Sandblast (Linda Meech/Kelvin Bourke) $5.
Race 5 Patrick Sherlock Plumbing 0-58 Handicap 1600m - 1st Kyteler (Neil Farley/Henry Dwyer) $2.80f; 2nd Soobmerged (Will Gordon/Belinda O’Loughlin) $5.50; 3rd Brechen (Tom Prebble/Patrick Kearney) $3.10.
Race 6 Josh Lewis Accounting 0-58 Handicap 2250m - 1st Da Deputy (Jessica Booth/David Noonan) $81; 2nd Sasun (Jarrod Lorensini/Ali Brook) $12; 3rd Toronali (Jack Hill/Julius Sandhu) $7.
Race 7 Bet365 Coleraine Cup 1800m - 1st Claidheamh Mor (Will Gordon/Gemma Rielly) $1.55f; 2nd Prince Jofra (Neil Farley/Travis Doudle) $5.50; 3rd Aseventy Seven (Tom Prebble/Emma-Lee & David Brown) $10.
Race 8 Ultrabuild Construction Group BM64 Handicap 1300m - 1st The Siscos Kid (Jack Hill/Henry Dwyer) $5; 2nd China Affair (Ryan Houston/Paul Preusker) $9.50; 3rd Sachem (Dean Yendall/Matthew Williams) $3.10f.
Race 9 JM Ellis & Co 0-58 Handicap 1300m - 1st Sugar And Sweet (Neil Farley/Rachel Samsonenko) $6.50; 2nd Vallencourt (Madison Lloyd/Michael Shepherdson) $7.50; 3rd Sir Domigo (Jack Hill/Brady Cross) $3.30f.
