Local star Humbucker (NZ) (Iffraaj) provided a poignant result on Saturday with a successful defence of his title in the $50,000 MLT Gore Cup (2000m).
Winning rider Jasmine Fawcett wore a black armband following the loss of part-owner Alison Hazlett on the morning of the race. Fawcett proceeded to give the $2 favourite a picture-perfect ride on Saturday afternoon, cruising around in midfield and never panicking despite chief rival The Buffer opening up a huge lead down the back of the Gore track.
Fawcett began to make her move coming down the side, and Humbucker rapidly ate into The Buffer’s advantage.
Humbucker took command at the home turn and romped clear, opening up a winning margin of four and three-quarter lengths – a stark contrast to his nose victory over Wannabe ‘N’ Paris in last year’s edition of the race.
“It was really good to get the win today, and especially after the sad loss of Alison,” trainer Ellis Winsloe said. “The Hazletts have been such a huge part of my life for a long time. We’ve won Great Northerns together and things like that. It’s been a fantastic relationship. I don’t know what else to say really, but it was very special to get this result.”
Humbucker has put together an exceptional record at Gore, with nine starts at his home track producing three wins and six placings.
Overall, the seven-year-old son of Iffraaj has had 39 starts for six wins, 13 placings and $223,345 in stakes.
“He’s been a pretty good horse, and especially since we got him from the North Island for Alison,” Winsloe said. “Stuart Hale originally bought him at Karaka (for $47,500), and when he started his career he was owned by Sir Patrick Hogan and a couple of others. My old mate Peter Williams used to train him in the north.
“He has a few quirks and isn’t the easiest horse to do things with, but he’s hardly been out of the money since he’s been down here and has competed against the best. He really deserves this win.”
Winsloe is in no rush to make any firm plans for Humbucker, but will consider a shot at the $100,000 Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui on February 3.
“I don’t really have anything in mind at the moment,” Winsloe said. “I’ll have a talk to Kylie Williams, who usually rides him but is up at Trentham today. Depending on how he comes through this, we could potentially think about the Dunedin Gold Cup.”
