Wolfe & McGruddy claim second regional feature
Trainer Steve Wolfe and jockey Shaun McGruddy found themselves in the regional spotlight once again after securing their second major country race victory within a week.
Just seven days after Quokka-bound sprinter Rope Them In claimed the $400,000 Bluff Knoll (1099m) in Albany, Currimundi delivered another triumph for the stable by winning the Listed Pinjarra Cup (2300m) on Sunday.
Marking his third Cup victory from 41 career starts, Currimundi surged home from ninth place at the turn, overtaking Fear The Wind near the finish line to clinch the win.
In a tight three-horse battle, Currimundi edged out Fear The Wind by a short-neck, while Demolish, who briefly took the lead, finished a long-neck behind in third place.
Race favorite and recent Bunbury Cup champion, Captain Pluto, settled towards the back of the field and made a late run but was never a serious contender in the closing stages.
A son of the standout sire Playing God, Currimundi returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since securing the Albany Cup (2100m) - Diggers Cup (1800m) double last year.
Starting at odds of $11, the six-year-old turned the tables on Captain Pluto, who had beaten him in the Bunbury Cup (2019m) just two weeks prior.
"He didn't lose much ground around the turn today (Sunday)," Shaun McGruddy said.
"From the 600 hundred to the 400 hundred he lost about four lengths in the Bunbury Cup."
"He wanted to lay out and that really cost him the race."
"Today, he still dropped the bridle, but he didn't completely lose ground."
"I was still in touch with them on straightening."
"This guy isn't really bred to stay, being by Playing God, he's a home bred."
"Steve Wolfe did a good job out of a Pins mare."
"But he's tough and a trier."
Wolfe celebrated his second Pinjarra Cup triumph, nearly thirty years after his first victory with King Brian in 1999.
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