3 minute read
The Risk Factor first local stayer home in cup.
Victorian trainer Symon Wilde took a punt on sending his stayer Aurora's Symphony to Tasmania after winning a minor country cup earlier this month and it paid off big time when the gelding stormed home to win the $250,000 Group 3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup.
Winning a Colac Cup is hardly the form to recommend a tilt at a Group 3 event, but Wilde had an inkling his gelded son of Glass Harmonium was capable of better.
The move was justified when the gelding burst clear of the pack in the home straight to go on and score comfortably from race favourite Ho Ho Khan ($2.80) with local stayer The Risk Factor ($4.40) a gallant third after setting a solid pace in front.
Aurora's Symphony was heavily backed in from $10 to start at $6.50 and the result was never in doubt when Victorian rider Harry Coffey gave the gelded son of Glass Harmonium a squeeze at the top of the straight which was the signal to leave his rivals in his wake.
Wilde was unable to travel to Tasmania to be a part of his gelding's win, but he was elated when contacted after the race.
"I was absolutely thrilled with his win and my only disappointment is that I was unable to get to Tassie to see it because of my commitment at the yearling sale," Wilde said from Warrnambool.
"After he won the Colac Cup, we had a couple of options and then we saw this race in the calendar and thought it might suit, so we took a punt and sent him across.
"We had the horse staying at Glenn Stevenson stables at Wesley Vale and he loves the beach environment, so he felt at home.
"Harry (Coffey) rode him a treat and we've had a lot of success with him lately."
Coffey was thrilled with the win and said the gelding has a bright future.
"This horse is only five and has a lot going for him as a stayer," Coffey said.
"I reckon Symon will give him a little break and maybe look at something at Warrnambool during the carnival here in May."
Wilde confirmed the Warrnambool Cup could be an ideal option.
"It would be great to win out hometown cup and I think this is the horse that can give it to us," Wilde said.
Ho Ho Khan was brave in defeat, coming from well back 600m from home to threaten to win at the top of the home straight but his big weight of 61kg took its toll at the business end and he did a fantastic job to finish only 1-1/2 lengths from the winner.
Ho Ho Khan won the Hobart Cup 10 days earlier and he stood to earn a $100,000 double cups bonus had he emerged triumphant in the Launceston Cup.
The Risk Factor, prepared by Adam Trinder, was game in defeat and as this was his first attempt at the top level, he could be a serious chance in next year's Launceston Cup as a more mature stayer.
