Last Saturday December 12 Rosehill Gardens Racecourse hosted a bumper day of racing headlined by the Listed $100 000 Christmas Cup (2400m) where the Tim Martin-trained Scouting Wide claimed a thrilling all-the-way victory.
The in-form five-year-old, Scouting Wide ($5.50) proved himself as a genuine stayer when he held on to defeat his seven rivals in the 2400m test, after setting a rapid pace straight from the gates.
The Chris Waller-trained outsider Bright Mind ($21) was a neck back as runner-up, three lengths ahead of the favourite at $2.20, Bart Cummings’ Star Ripper in third.
Scouting Wide’s career record now stands at three wins from 11 career starts for over $180 000 in prizemoney.
Scouting Wide is by the legendary Cambridge sire, Zabeel who has now sired 122nd stakes winners.
Eight quality races were conducted on the day and other wins included Zampara in race three, the Tony and Manera Lahood Handicap (2000m). The lightly raced seven-year-old gelding will now be aimed at the Group 3 Summer Cup (2400m) on Boxing Day where he might come up against Christmas Cup winner Scouting Wide.
2009 Christmas Cup Results:
Placing |
Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Margin |
| 1 |
SCOUTING WIDE (NZ) |
Tim Martin | Tye Angland | - |
| 2 |
BRIGHT MIND (GB) |
Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 0.3 |
| 3 |
STAR RIPPER |
Bart Cumming | Glyn Schofield | 3.8 |
| 4 |
DANE FONTAINE |
Guy Walter | Chris Munce | 4.0 |
| 5 |
DOTHIS DOTHAT |
Paul Cave | Jay Ford | 6.0 |
| 6 |
MERENSKY REEF |
Gai Waterhouse | Blake Shinn | 8.0 |
| 7 |
MUSIC REVIEW (GB) |
John O’Shea | Tim Clark | 24.0 |
| 8 |
TANGIWAI |
Guy Walter | Corey Brown | 25.3 |
