WARWICK CUP DAY RESULTS

By Casey O'Connor

The eight race programme opened with the Gross Wholesale Meats QTIS Three Year old Maiden Handicap. Eagle Farm visitor Rebel Rock having only his second race start got favourite punters off to a great start with an easy win. He was well tried by punters and started $2.70 favourite and after a solid win this might be one for the black book.

Punters got behind the second winner, the Michael Nolan trained American Crown who started $2.10 favourite after opening at $4. The well backed favourite looked a class above the field as he raced away to a clear win.

Bookmakers got their revenge in the third event went rank outsider Whistlin’ Arrow broke through for his maiden win. Starting at $26 jockey Stephanie Lacy allowed the Gatton trained three year old to come to the centre of the track in the straight and despite running about a little easily held off the favourite Sonic Bloom ($3.40 fav) and Divine Miss Boom ($3.90).

Honours in the fourth event a Class 1 over the 1100 metre journey went to Mister Ward ($4.40) who followed the winning pattern of racing when he swooped down the outside to run down Inkblot and early leader Princely Sum.

Following the running of race four stewards upgraded the track from a heavy eight to a soft seven.

In race six the Hire Solutions Class 1 (1100metres) Harry’s Star ($4.40) under hard riding from Alannah Fancourt held off favourite Eskdale Girl ridden by Ron Goltz. The margin just a half head.

The meeting wrapped up with the running of the eighth event the Warwick Hotel Benchmark 5 run over 1500 metres and again there was no joy for those punters looking for a favourite to win the last.

Ipswich trained Casino Gold ($13) spotted the front runners many lengths in the early stage of the race. Jockey Wayne O’Connell secured a dream inside run from the 1000metre mark to the home turn and straightened up in the lead. Favourite Fast Ali lunged late but the leader proved too strong to get the nod in the last.

It wrapped up a successful Cup meeting despite several late scratching due to the early conditions of the track.

The President and committee of the Warwick turf Club were thrilled with the support for the premier event on the Warwick racing calendar.