Win: Gottino salutes in the Great Western Cup, one of his four country cup wins this season. PICTURE: Wimmera Mail-Times
GOTTINO is making a bold bid for the Victorian country horse of the year honours.
The Ken Moore-trained galloper added to his tally of feature race victories in the $20,000 Edenhope Cup, 1850m, on Saturday.
This gives Gottino four country cups this year.
He launched the sequence in the $15,000 Burrumbeet Cup, 1800m, on New Year’s Day.
The five-year-old made it two in a row in the $15,000 Great Western Cup, 1800m.
Gottino then completed a hat-trick of wins in the $21,000 Marong Cup, 2000m.
It took the Darren Weir-trained Chord to end the winning run in the Colac Cup, with Gottino having to settle for second.
However, the former New Zealander quickly bounced back with Dean Larsson in the saddle to score by more than two lengths at Edenhope.
This takes his career record to 10 wins in 32 starts for $138,512 in stakes.
Moore has placed Gottino superbly since the son of Jahar began racing in his career in February last year.
He won his first three starts for Moore. This preparation was launched with a first-up victory at Horsham in October.
• BALLARAT trainer Dan Cunningham has provided comeback jockey Patrick Bell with his first race win since his return.
A former New Zealander, Bell is best known as the track rider and a strapper for champion mare Black Caviar.
Originally from New Zealand, Bell launched his return to race riding last month.
He has had just 12 rides for a win on Cunningham’s Our Henry ($3.30) in a 0-58 handicap, 1450m, at Edenhope on Saturday and six minor placings.
Previously prepared by Carlee Knight, this is Our Henry’s first preparation in Cunningham’s care.
The eight-year-old has a win, second and third in three runs for the stable, giving him eight career wins.
• BRAY Raceway remains on target to be re-opened on Thursday, March 28.
The track is undergoing a $600,000 upgrade, with an increased camber the major feature.
The major track works are completed, as is the construction of a new outer fence in the back straight and around the home turn.
New fencing in the home straight, advertising signs in the major perimeter fence and track surface material will complete the project.
• DUNNSTOWN horseman David Murphy landed a driving win at Terang harness races yesterday.
He scored on Arr En Special ($2.90) and Forced Out ($5.40) for south-east South Australian trainer David Kemp.
david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au
