Provincial megastar Typhoon Sammy was ‘cyclonic’ in tonight’s $78,795 Group 2 Bendigo Cup final (425m).
Trained at Pearcedale by champion trainer Jason Thompson, Typhoon Sammy not only snared the $50,000 first prize but also a $50,000 bonus for ‘storming’ to three country cups in a calendar year. The massive $100,000 collect spiralled his earnings to $338,680.
Owned by the Dart family in Dulguigan, NSW, Typhoon Sammy added the Bendigo Cup silverware to his victories in the G2 Traralgon Cup (January 26) and G2 Horsham Cup (March 4).
In an incredible training feat, Thompson landed his fifth Bendigo Cup, having saluted with El Galo (2008), Peggy May (2012), Ronan Izmir (2013) and Aston Bolero (2016).
“He got the job done… But you never know, no matter how well in front you are.”
As was the case in his heat last Sunday, Typhoon Sammy (Box 3) was ‘tornado-like’ early in setting up a comfortable 23.53sec win.
Notching his 38th win (including eight of his past 10) from 61 starts, Typhoon Sammy ($2.10F) defeated Salad Dodger ($9.60) by two lengths, with Quinlan Bale ($4.30) a neck away third.
It was his sixth win from eight starts exiting the ‘white’ trap. And he’s now four from five over 425m at Bendigo.
Dubbed the ‘country cups king in waiting’ – albeit Ferdinand Boy is not ready to abdicate – Typhoon Sammy finished third in last year’s Bendigo Cup after establishing a new track record (23.28sec) in a heat.
Ironically, Ferdinand Boy also received a $50,000 bonus for snaring three country cups in 2021.
Thompson’s children Luke, 21, and Holly, 19, were on-track to accept the winning spoils from Australian cricket great, Merv Hughes.
An emotional Holly was “all smiles” while Luke quipped, “we get well looked after” (by the ‘old man’).
“He got the job done… But you never know, no matter how well in front you are,” Luke added.
Meanwhile, the $10,000 to-the-winner Shima Shine at Stud ‘Cup Night’ Match Race (425m) was taken out by Titan Blazer ($1.10F) – trained by Daniel Gibbons – in 23.70sec. He saluted by almost one and a half lengths over Robbie Rotten ($3.10) – prepared by Kayla Cottrell.
Your Colour Room ($1.50F) – prepared by Andrew Paraskevas – was ‘picture perfect’ landing a $10,000 winner’s cheque in the Mannings Greyhounds Vic Bred Maiden final (500m).
Hummock ($2.10F) – trained by Clint Capuano – also secured a $10,000 winner’s purse in the Hip Pocket Bendigo Spring Cup final (660m).
And Aston Cassidy ($8.60) – trained by Samuel Webb – snared a $5000 first prize in the Battlers Cup final (425m).
WATCH: It’s a 2022 country cups ‘triple treat’ for TYPHOON SAMMY (B3), taking out the Bendigo Cup over SALAD DODGER (B7) and QUINLAN BALE (B2).
