Karl Zechner rides a driving finish to get Equina up to beat Super Trouper
One thing one can say about Borrowdale Park’s big race bonanzas is that it is seldom all over until the fat lady sings. At the finish of Sunday’s $40 000 Gr3 Republic Cup only 1.80 lengths separated the first five horses, with Silvano’s daughter Equina getting up to snatch victory from Super Trouper in the last stride, writes Sheldene Chant.
Fifty metres out, Super Trouper and Thriller In Manila began to dominate the proceedings, while Yer-Maan seemed about to lose out completely and even Rushmore River looked to have a chance to still come through – but it all changed when Karl Zechner and Equina pounced.
The Silvano mare, Equina, trained by Amy Bronkhorst, owned by Peter Moor and bred by Cheveley Stud, won both the $50 000 Castle Tankard and $40 000 Ok Grand Challenge in 2014 but missed out on the 1900m Republic Cup when finishing second to Lucky Sam.
On Sunday, carrying 53kgs, she made amends.
Congratulations to all the winning connections.
Amy, also saddled the locally bred Thriller In Manila, who put up a gallant fight but finished fourth, 1.55 lengths back.
And what about Yer-Maan?
His stable companion Norgay brought the field into the final 600m, all of Gentle Brook, Rock The Country, and Thriller In Manila were handy, with Super Trouper beginning to unwind up the inside, and I have to admit to losing track of Yer-Maan. However, despite hefting 61kgs and giving away dollops of weight all round, the six-year-old Jam Alley (AUS) gelding got up there when it counted, in third place only 1.50 lengths off the winner.
He failed to complete the hoped for “big race treble” but with victories in both the Castle Tankard and OK Grand Challenge he certainly set the turf alight and made plenty of friends during his sojourn at Borrowdale Park.
Rushmore River started favourite but in the final countdown ran sixth, 4.80 lengths off the pace and just behind Rock The Country. Everyone was pleased to welcome Assistant Trainer Gabby Somo to Borrowdale Park and perhaps he and Rushmore River will be back, to put the record straight.
The next Borrowdale race meeting is on July 26, featuring the TBA Champagne Stakes. This is followed by the seasonal break from July 27 to September 5.
