Hammoon Boy wins 2017 Jungle Juice Cup
THE three-and-a-half-hour trek to Cessnock paid off for Tamworth trainer Sue Grills on Wednesday when she landed her first Jungle Juice Cup (1350m) with Hammoon Boy.
The eight-year-old came into the race in handy form, having run third or fourth at his three prior runs, all of which were in country features at Gunnedah, Tamworth and Muswellbrook.
Ridden by Chris O’Brien, Hammoon Boy led in the early stages before settling fourth on the fence.
Approaching the home turn the bay gelding found clear galloping room and began his powerful run, hitting the lead and kicking clear to defeat race favourite Epic Dan by just over one and a half lengths.
Grills was over the moon with the win for which her charge collected just under $20,000 in prizemoney.
“Obviously barrier one helps, but it was a great ride,” Grills told Horse Betting at the track following the win.
“We thought he had a good chance today. He is a very honest horse – he ran third in the Tamworth Cup in May so it was great to come here today and get win the Cup.”
Owner Paul Frampton, who bred and now races the son of Bite The Bullet and Secluded Star with his wife Belinda, was full of praise for Grills after the race.
“It was a good win and an excellent training performance from Sue Grills,” Frampton said.
“He ran at Muswellbrook two weeks ago and finished fourth which was a good run. That was a pretty firm track and he certainly appreciated the cut out of the track here today.
“We’ve been in a few races here before, but that was our first Jungle Juice Cup. It makes it even more special to have bred him and to now be racing him – a big thanks must go to Sue and also to his jockey Chris O’Brien.”