3 minute read

Hawkesbury trainer Terry Croft’s annual pilgrimage to the Forbes Cup meeting reaped another dividend today.

And this time he shared the spoils with fellow Hawkesbury co-trainers Tara and Philippe Vigouroux.

Croft, as he did at the same meeting last year, produced Hawkesbury's first winner of the new season when Bartandthequeen ($11) broke through in the Maiden Plate (1600m).

Six races later Team Vigouroux wrapped up the meeting, landing the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1200m) with $10 chance Lettre D'Amour.

Both stables were coming off successful 2019-20 seasons; Croft with nine winners and Team Vigouroux with 12.

Croft took three horses to Forbes, and is making his mark at the popular annual country fixture.

His victory with Bartandthequeen was his fifth in the past seven runnings.

He won with Four Suns in 2014, Colonial Reign in 2016, No Escape in 2017 and Rose Of War last year.

Croft also tragically lost his Forbes Cup favorite Vite Loni – who broke down during the race and had to be put down - the same year he won a supporting race with Colonial Reign.

Non-claiming apprentice Mikayla Weir, who partnered Rose Of War last year, gave Bartandthe queen a perfect run behind the leading group and produced him between runners in the straight at exactly the right time.

The five-year-old, a son of 2009 Australian Derby winner Roman Emperor, held out Queen Lear ($9.50) and Paradia ($6) to score at his 11th start; but only his fifth for Croft.

"We set him for the race, and it was nice to see him win," an obviously delighted Croft said afterwards.

"The price was good."

It certainly was, considering he was placed first-up in provincial company over 1100m at Hawkesbury, struck a heavy track at his next run when seventh over 1300m again at home, and was dropping back to country grade and stepping up to a more suitable distance.

Team Vigouroux also opted for an apprentice on Lettre D'Amour, and used 3kg country claimer Ronald Simpson in the Benchmark 66.

Lettre D'Amour covered ground but loomed menacingly on straightening, and her young rider didn't lack vigour as he drove her to the line to edge out Onthetake ($6.50) to post the fifth win of her 27-start career – and three of them have come this year.

A six-year-old daughter of Foreplay, she was successful at Newcastle in March and Bathurst in June, but had been unplaced at her previous two starts in provincial company.

"Lettre D'Amour has earned a spell," Philippe Vigouroux said.

"She has had a long preparation, and is going to the paddock tomorrow."