Darryl Horner Jr enjoyed the Jericho Cup win aboard Bastida. Picture: Racing Photos
By Gilbert Gardiner
06:53pm • 27 November 2022
Marathon horse Bastida led a New Zealand quinella in the $288,000 Jericho Cup on Sunday at Warrnambool.
A cool Darryl Horner Jr ride set up the win to seal a weekend Victorian distance double for Sydney-based Kiwi trainer John Sargent after Gin Martini claimed the Sandown Cup (3200m) last Saturday at Caulfield.
Kiwi raider Botti, prepared by Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers, claimed second in the 4652m feature.
Outsider Epizeel, a $251 chance with TAB, was the first Victorian past the post from Royal Crown.
Horner Jr, a Brierly Steeplechase and Australian Hurdle winner, secured the biggest prizemoney win of his career in emphatic style.
“What a privilege it is to win the Jericho, when I hit the front I was waiting for something to sweep past because it’s a long straight when you’re in front,” Horner Jr told Racing.com.
“I’ve been run down a fair few times, unbelievable, bloody unbelievable… I love it, I don’t care about the fines or whatever, I love winning races.
“I don’t care if it’s a maiden at Casterton or big races, the adrenaline goes through me.
“I’ve had a bit of a rough season over jumps, didn’t ride a lot of winners, but chipped away, a few times there I contemplated throwing it in.”
Horner Jr credited close friends and his brother, fellow jockey Lee, for convincing him to stick with a career in the saddle.
Horner Jr gave Bastida a most economical steer just worse than midfield, having hugged the rail in the early parts, before looming up strongly widest at the top of the straight to make his run to the post.
Runner-up Botti should have finished a bit closer had he not run up the back of Royal Crown and The Rattlin’ Bog in the closing stages.
“The race went to plan, we were probably a little bit further back than we wanted to be but we were getting a good run,” Horner Jr said.
“He (Bastida) was relaxed and I was following nice horses.”
Jukila and Border Leicester led the 14-horse field up at different stages but dropped out of contention the pressure and fatigue set in.
Favourite Bazini raced in a clump with Bastida for much of the race but was unable to mount a challenge in the straight.
The Jericho Cup, Australia‘s longest flat race, is run annually on the fourth Sunday in New Zealand to honour our heroic World War I Light Horsemen and their horses, The Walers, for their deeds in the Middle East from 1914-1919.
Earlier on the card, Dane Smith-trained There For You won the Jericho Cup Consolation (4065m) to be the first qualified for the 2023 edition.
Stripped Back exploded to win the feature Charge At Beersheba Sprint (1000m) for trainer Lindsey Smith.
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Gilbert Gardiner
