The Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich-trained Know Thyself ($5) has got the head down where it matters most under the urgings of Aaron Bullock to claim the $1 million Country Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon.
The Autumn Son gelding was a dominant winner of the Scone Wild Card Qualifier on March 21, leaving the suggestion he may simply be a Heavy track specialist; however, he was quick to dispel those claims on Saturday, surging through the line to hold out a gallant Lisztomania () in the shadows of the post.
The race couldn’t have unfolded any better for Know Thyself, with stable companion Intervarsity () striding to the lead in the early stages, ensuring a strong tempo over the 1400m.
The well-supported favourite with horse racing bookmakers, Gallant Star ($2.50), looked to get every chance sliding into the one-one from barrier four, while the eventual runner-up was forced to sustain a tough run three-wide turning for home.
Fukubana ($8.50) and Know Thyself were smoking the pipe in the back-half of the field before exploding down the centre of the course, with the latter going the better as they hit the furlong pole.
Lisztomania took over with 100m left to travel but Know Thyself was breathing down his neck as the pair hit the wire locked together.
They could only be split by a photo, with Know Thyself getting the verdict in a ding-dong battle.
Co-trainer Paul Messara was on course to break down the win.
“Massive win today,” said Messara.
“Delighted for our team, especially Leah who rides him every day, who is my training partner. She treats this horse like a labrador. She’s there hand-feeding him all the time, so really happy for her and the whole team, and the Ladbrokes team who have been a great supporter of the stable and probably this is maybe the biggest win to date. So fabulous for their team, and I couldn’t be happier.
“This is a plan that we laid down a long time ago. They often don’t come off, so lovely to see it happy today.
“I was thinking the Scone Cup (next) might be a good one to go for. Just down the road, we don’t have to travel or worry about any of that. So Group 3 race at Scone, I think the Scone Cup would be a nice transition race for him.”
Aaron Bullock was forced to get down to 56kg to take the reins and had no issues getting the job done.
“I wouldn’t be here on these horses if it wasn’t for John and Paul,” said Bullock.
“They’ve had confidence in me here today to come and let me ride him half (a kilogram) over. I don’t ride these weights often.
“It was all worth it. I couldn’t do it without this pair (wife and baby boy), they’re the ones that drive me every day so it’s very good. But like I said, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the support from Arrowfield and the team.
“It’s just good to get the win. I’ve got 12 Qualifying trophies at home, so now I can finally add a Finals one to the trophy cabinet. Very happy.
“It just shows how much loyalty they’ve got. There’s a lot better riders in that room than me, but I’m here all year round doing the hard work and they’ve rewarded me for it. So I can’t be any more thankful.”
Horse racing news