Weir clinches first-ever Sydney win in the steward’s room
CHAMPION trainer Darren Weir has registered his maiden Sydney win early on Golden Slipper Day after Big Duke earned the favour of the stewards to win after a bumping duel alongside Our Century.
Big Duke went down in the photo finish but an inquiry followed, which was upheld, handing Weir his first-ever winner in the harbour city and delivering lucky punters a $3.70 return at Crownbet.com.au.
Weir admitted it was a relief to get the win at Rosehill.
“It’s been the monkey on the back. We’ve talked about it,” Weir said
“(Having said that) there has never been any pressure. We’ve had runners in the Epsom, the Doncaster and they are hard to win. This was a good race to win, a Group 3, and we will be back.
The Group Three Irresistible Pools Manion Cup resembled a match race as the horses entered the latter stages of the race as Big Duke and Our Century separated themselves from the field and battled it out to the line.
What a war!
Our Century prevails after an epic duel with Big Duke in the G3 Manion Cup at #Rosehill! pic.twitter.com/G31fnzcHEX— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 18, 2017
Weir had no doubt Big Duke would have won the race if the pair had not engaged in the bumping battle.
“It is always a relief. You never know what is going to happen in the stewards room, (but) interference definitely cost him the race.”
Our Century won the photo finish but was relegated to second after the inquiry, paying $2.70 at WilliamHill.com.au for those who put a winning bet on.
Punters that missed out on the first past the place insurance had to settle for $1.70.
William Buick guided Allergic to a distant third.
Weir said he was happy with the ride Craig Williams gave Big Duke, and was confident that he would get the nod in the stewards room after the race.
“I go to water in things like that,” the trainer said.
“(Jockey Craig Williams) should of been in another career (legal) I think. He rode him a treat and obviously got the job done in the stewards room as well.”
Craig Williams was full of praise for a horse on the rise, and Weir is eyeing group one glory for the Irish import
“He is a fit horse and still on the up. He is still on the up as well. He paraded better today than he did at Launceston, so I’m really looking forward to being here in two weeks and then a week into the Sydney Cup,” he said.
“He goes to the Chairman’s over 2600m. Then he stays the weeks and goes to the Sydney Cup.”