Wu Gok takes another Cup

It was an unlikely win 50m out, but Wu Gok was not letting a stablemate spoil his opportunity to win another cup with the Chris Waller trained six-year-old under Adam Hyeronimus winning the $150,000, listed TAB  Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Hyeronimus had led all the way with Wu Gok, the top-weight with 59.5kg after his win in the listed Lord Mayors Cup over 2000m at the course two weeks ago, with the pace steady throughout.

The challenges came in the main straight with first Yulong Prince (SAF) (59kg) and James McDonald on the outside and when they could not go forward to secure the lead, secondly, from another stablemate Carzoff (FR) (56kg) and Nash Rawiller inside.

Carzoff, up from racing in Victoria, was up for a fight and headed Wu Gok as they raced closely together. However, in the final strides Hyeronimus asked Wu Gok for more and after the early steady pace there was a reaction with stamina saved in the tank.

Wu Gok went to the lead again with margin a long head at the line with Carzoff (Zoffany) clear of Yulong Prince (Gimmethegreenlight) third, the margin a short head. Scarlett Dream was fourth and Gayatri fifth.

The time was 2.35.92 on the Heavy 9 track with the final 600m in 35.43. Wu Gok was well supported as the favourite, albeit drifting from $2.50 to start at $3.80 on fixed odds and $3.60 on the tote. Wagers late included $20,000 at $4.

“It was good to see the three stablemates fight it out, it was quite an intriguing race in the last 100 meters. The front runner was headed and it is not often they come back and to Adam’s credit he rated him very well and Wu Gok has won another race and he is doing a great job,” said Waller.

Waller commented that the stable might have to send the stayers out to freshen up with a lack of races at the 2400m at the moment and to then bring them back to race again over 2000m in the weeks ahead.

Hyeronimus commented that Wu Gok was racing in a happy frame of mind evidenced by the ability to surge again.

“The 50 meters he really wanted to win and he did a good job,” he said.

Wu Gok, by Sebing out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Lipari, might have surprised the stable with his recent consistency, a factor Waller puts down to maturity, and the results have taken his stakes for owners, the Hermitage Syndicate, to $754,035 from 11 wins and 10 placings with 40 starts.