3 minute read
Trainer Brian Johnston understands the challenges associated with winning a feature race three consecutive times however the Balnarring based trainer is quietly confident Forest Knight can achieve the feat on Sunday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The reigning Victorian Country Racehorse of the Year has won the past two editions of the $60,000 Colac Gold Cup and connections will be aiming to add number three with the 7YO gelding on Sunday.
“We'd love to win the Colac Gold Cup again. It is the best trophy in country Victoria; a beautifully hand beaten Gold Cup that is well worth winning,” Johnston said.
“You don't get many chances to win country cups, let alone win a country cup three times in a row. Very few horses have done that.
“Gunnamatta did it at Mornington and they named a level of the grandstand after him.”
If Forest Knight is first past the post on Sunday, there may be little doubt the Colac Turf Club will find a way to recognise the achievement.
If the confidence of Johnston is a gauge, then the committee may need to start thinking about ideas.
“He is going brilliant at the moment and even at his age, he is better than he has ever been. He has been absolutely flying and appears brilliant,” Johnston said.
“His first-up run at Flemington was a great run.
"Brad Rawiller (jockey) was delighted and his intention is to ride the horse in the Colac Gold Cup pending possible commitments from other stables.”
At Flemington Forest Knight finished seventh of 10 over 1650m on 19 January first up.
Johnston described the 11-time victorious son of Charnwood Forest as very honest and good to train, making the jobs of him and co-trainer Fran Houlahan much easier.
In 2006, Forest Knight won by 1.8 lengths on a good track, carrying 56kg with Michelle Payne in the saddle.
Last year Forest Knight was piloted by Greg Childs, comfortably carrying 56.5kg on a slow track to win by 2.75 lengths.
These two wins have been the gelding's only runs at the course.
Colac Turf Club, which is based in a region renowned for producing some quality footballers, has tapped into the AFL market by securing former Fremantle Dockers coach Chris Connolly as guest speaker at Sunday's Colac Gold Cup meeting.
The current Operations Manager at Melbourne Football Club, Connolly will be guest speaker in the Corporate Cup marquee.
