Thrilling Scone Cup success for in-form Hellsing
Trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Hellsing has entered excellent shape and notched his finest victory yet in the Listed $200,000 Arrowfield Scone Cup (1600m) held at Scone on Friday.
On his 10th run in a preparation exceeding six months, Hellsing is thriving more than ever, building on a Royal Randwick win to claim the Scone showcase in a dramatic finish with the leading six only two lengths apart.
The event featured multiple hard-luck accounts, but jockey Tom Sherry's early choice to shift Hellsing to the outer of the pacemaker and clear of bother proved pivotal, as the one-time Irish runner powered on and displayed relentless grit to maintain his edge in the run home.
The Archibalds relished this hometown achievement, operating 80 horses at Scone to match their Warwick Farm headquarters.
"This is a massive thrill,'' Annabel Archibald said.
"It was a long time 'watching' in the straight, I was willing the post (to come)."But Hellsing is a such a tough, honest horse and he has a great racing pattern where he gets up on the speed.
"He has been in work a long time but he is so very consistent.''
Hellsing at $5.50, originating from Ireland, fended off the surging Churchill's Choice ($10) for a narrow win, with fellow Archibald runner Formal Display ($4.60 favourite) half a length behind in third spot.
Sherry was impressed by Hellsing's tenacity in repelling challengers at Scone, just as at his prior Randwick appearance.
"It was a bit of a step up in grade for him today but to his credit he showed a great will to win, he was so determined to hold off the challenger, Churchill's Choice,'' Sherry said.
This success books Hellsing a spot in the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day, the first Tuesday of November.
"He deserves a little break now and then we will work back from the Big Dance – that will be his target,'' Archibald said.
After her Hawkesbury Gold Cup score, Churchill's Choice fired another bold shot, weaving through late but missing the Cups repeat narrowly.
From barrier 15, Formal Display was caught wide without cover multiple times, making his third place a commendable effort.
"I thought Formal Display he was huge,'' Archibald said.
"He was four-wide with no cover the trip but he has still run home for third so he has definitely ticked the mile box.
"Depth Of Character (12th) never came off the bridle, he never got a crack at them in the straight.''
Tavi Time, the defending Scone Cup champion under 59kg topweight, was denied a back-to-back by traffic issues rather than weight – Chad Schofield couldn't find a gap from the straight entrance, crossing unpressured in sixth.
Check the online bookmakers for top racing betting markets on the Scone Cup.
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