A long range plan to win a second Wodonga Cup proved successful when city bridesmaid Jetconi won the provincial town feature.
Aided by a good barrier and perfect ride by Jason Benbow, the son of Bianconi did enough to well the eyes of Mansfield trainer Gerald Egan.
From the inside draw Benbow settled the seven-year-old three back on the fence.
Flagstaff led and set a quick pace while bolter Top Tier settled second.
Cornish, who was caught wide thoughout, joined the leaders before the turn as did Regular Aussie who had settled close to the lead.
At the home turn Benbow squeezed a gap between the two leaders and rode hard to the line.
Second placegetter Murdoch’s Joy was gallant after being blocked for a run rounding the turn.
Its jockey Linda Meech had no choice but to follow the path made by Benbow until the 250m mark.
Meech pulled out wide on Murdoch’s Joy and it finished strongly with Regular Aussie holding on for third.
Jetconi survived a protest when he won the 2010 Wodonga Cup but no such dramas unfolded today.
After that win, 12 months ago, Egan planned for a repeat.
Jetconi failed to win in 15 starts since but placed twice in town.
Egan gave credit to his stable staff for the satisfying win.
“It is great, no protest this year which is even better,” he said.
“I said to Jason, have him full bore at the top of the corner, the last two starts he had been held up.
“With the good weight and barrier we had to make the most of it and go for home.
“He has run 12 seconds in town and not won there but it is better winning here anyway.
“At his first two runs (this campaign) he was big and fat but we gave him four runs before the Cup this year and only three last year.
“It is a team effort and I am proud of them.”
Benbow praised Egan’s training effort.
“It was a good effort, and a great training effort,” Benbow said.
“He won it last year and he is now seven.
“To sprint and put pay to them like that was a very good effort.
“He just box seated on a very quick tempo.
“He is lanky and needs a bit of galloping room but that didn’t eventuate.
“Thankfully Flagstaff continued on for a considerable time in the race.
“He (Jetconi) wanted to duck into the rail, so for a seven-year-old he still does a few things wrong.
“I put the whip in the left hand and there was no doubt then.”
The win gave Egan and Benbow a winning doubles.
Egan won with Avenue Montaigne in a Maiden while Benbow won aboard Torgannah in a 62 Hcp.
Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | JETCONI | Gerald Egan | Jason Benbow | 1 | 55kg | $8 | |
2 | 9 | MURDOCH’S JOY | Brian Cox | Ms Linda Meech | 2L | 4 | 55kg | $4.60F |
3 | 4 | REGULAR AUSSIE | Mick Hartney | Billy Egan | 2.5L | 7 | 55kg | $7.50 |
4 | 12 | FLAGSTAFF | Brian Cox | Robert Beattie | 4.25L | 2 | 55kg | $41 |
5 | 7 | ARCH PEGASUS | Luke Oliver | Peter Mertens | 4.75L | 13 | 55kg | $18 |
6 | 1 | HE’S AN ANGEL | Brian Cox | Luke Nolen | 6L | 12 | 57kg | $7 |
7 | 13 | CUDGEWA | Brian Cox | Ms Lisa Cropp | 7.25L | 3 | 55kg | $10 |
8 | 3 | REDHEAD RAGE | Neil Dyer | Luke Currie | 8.5L | 5 | 56kg | $11 |
9 | 8 | PEACE PRIZE | Neil Dyer | Damian Lane (a) | 9.25L | 6 | 55kg | $21 |
10 | 5 | THRILLIONAIRE | Stephen Aldridge | Ms Stacey Rawiller (a) | 12.75L | 11 | 55kg | $12 |
11 | 6 | CORNISH (IRE) | Michael Hickmott | Ms Libby Hopwood | 12.95L | 9 | 55kg | $6.50 |
12 | 11 | AMERRYKING | Leslie Robertson | Terry Barry | 16.95L | 8 | 55kg | $26 |
13 | 14 | TOP TIER | Leslie Robertson | Lucas Camilleri | 21.95L | 10 | 55kg | $101 |
2 | DELAYEDREACTION (NZ) | Leon Corstens | Brad Rawiller | 0 |