Mid-race move secures Country Cup for Refulgent
A mid-race move by jockey Brad Rawiller was good enough for Refulgent to secure the $100,000 Strathmore Community Bank Country Cup at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The plan for Refulgent was to settle near the speed, but the early going to go to plan which forced Rawiller to make a move around the outside of runners and sit just of the pace set by Sandhill Warrior and the well-favoured Mihany.
Rawiller took control around the turn which was the winning of the race for the eight-time winner which is has now won over $600,000 in stakemoney.
“He’s always gone well for me,” Rawiller said. “It didn’t work out early. I thought there was good speed, but I can’t be here, gotta do something and get him into the race. He showed plenty of heart.”
The six-year-old failed to impress last start, but punters backed it late into $5.50 at Sportsbet as the favoured runners throughout the week started to drift in the betting.
“He felt good coming to the barriers. He’s in good condition. He’s got a good win for the owners tonight,” Rawiller said.
Winning trainer Darren Weir was happy with the ride and also the prizemoney on offer at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
“The plan was to be closer in the run early, but midway through the race Brad took the initiative and put him in the race,” Weir said. “He does ride him well, he’s had the most luck on him. The horse finds when he wants him to.
“Great prizemoney race, great race to win.”
Weir lines up Rageese in the Mitchelton Wines Rating 90 Handicap at 9pm and believes the $2 favourite at CrownBet.com.au is a good winning chance.
“Really happy with Rageese,” Weir said. “Looks a nice race for him, stepping stone to something better down the track.
“This fits into a race we have in mind in the future.”