Hawkesbury Gold Cup goes to Churchill's Choice
Nathan Doyle, the trainer, felt both thrill and ease after his charge Churchill's Choice triumphed close to the extreme outside barrier.
"She has been a frustrating mare as she's always had the ability but hasn't won one of these stakes races,'' Doyle said.
"But she's got that good win now and I'm really happy for her owner, Kevin (Hill). He has been quite crook and is in hospital in Brisbane so hopefully that picks him up.''
Ridden by Regan Bayliss, the $26 shot Churchill's Choice powered wide to secure the Hawkesbury Gold Cup by a half-length margin from $19 Palmetto, while $31 War Eternal was back another half-length in third ahead of $3.30 Taken.
Prominent Sydney owner Carl Holt saw this one slip through his fingers, with his royal blue and red vee colours on the runners-up in second, third and fourth.
The finish provided memorable returns for some TAB bettors, as the Trifecta paid $6739.10 and First Four soared to $53,067.20.
Doyle explained that a shift in riding strategy sparked Churchill's Choice's career-high effort.
"We took her back to the trials because we thought she might be a mad fresh horse,'' Doyle said.
"She went so well first-up but then was a bit plain at her next run."So, I got Regan up for the trial as she can hit a flat spot between the 500m and the 300m.
"She is probably dropping back two to three lengths and that's where she has been losing her races.
"But you could see today that Regan got on his 'bike' at the 500m and got her into the race.''
Bayliss revealed that trialling with Churchill's Choice at Gosford per Doyle's call was pivotal for the Hawkesbury success.
"I'm glad I trialled her as that flat spot can cost her races,'' Bayliss said.
"I just wanted to have her within striking range today and when she started to think about 'dropping' at the 500m, I kept at her.
"Once she got balanced up in the straight, she had to show a really good turn of foot today but she was strong to the line.''
Churchill's Choice's win came in her third outing post-spell, qualifying her for the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) over 1600m at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day, first Tuesday of November.
That said, Doyle is leaning towards a sooner target, potentially the Listed $200,000 Scone Cup (1600m) at Scone on May 15.
Visit leading online bookmakers to find racing betting markets for the Hawkesbury Gold Cup.
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