At an extraordinary $81 Neds starting price, Hemlock Stone delivered a stunning upset to claim the Group 2 Perth Cup at Ascot, securing an emotional victory for trainers Grant and Alana Williams and jockey Patrick Carbery.
The five-year-old gelding surged from the back of the field in the final stages to edge out Diamond Scene and Be Optimistic in a thrilling finish.
Positioned towards the rear early, Hemlock Stone found his rhythm under a patient ride by Carbery.
The race’s early pace, set by favourites Sentimental Hero and Serpentine, began to unravel as they hit the final stretch.
Hemlock Stone unleashed a powerful finishing burst, storming past Diamond Scene and Be Optimistic to cross the line in 2:27.33.
2025 Perth Cup replay – Hemlock Stone
Carbery, a seasoned big-race jockey, was ecstatic post-race.
“I wasn’t sure if we had enough to win coming into this, but once he hit his stride down the straight, I knew he had a chance. Credit to Grant and Alana—they got him spot on for today,” Carbery said.
The victory marks Hemlock Stone’s first win at the Group level and continues the Williams stable’s stellar Perth Cup record, with this being their sixth triumph in the prestigious race.
“We didn’t expect this one,” said a jubilant Grant Williams.
“It’s a massive thrill, especially for the large group of owners who believed in him.”
Owner Peter Morley of Belhus Racing was overwhelmed with emotion after the win.
“Thirty years in the making, and to win the Perth Cup with a horse like this is beyond words,” Morley said.
Diamond Scene, the $3.80 bookmaker favourite, ran valiantly to finish second, narrowly missing out in successive Perth Cups.
Be Optimistic, a $101 outsider, defied her long odds at Picklebet to clinch third in a career-best performance.
Hemlock Stone, by Dalghar (FR) out of Spiritual (NZ), has now won eight races from 22 starts, with career earnings surpassing $1.3 million.
The gelding’s next steps will likely include a well-deserved spell before tackling further staying challenges.
The 2400m contest was run at a brisk pace, with Hemlock Stone’s late charge epitomising the unpredictable beauty of thoroughbred racing.
As the grandstand erupted, it was clear this upset victory would be remembered as one of the great moments in Perth Cup history.
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