Western Envoy has turned the tables on his big rival to win the 2019 Ballarat Cup. The son of Kinloch Brae and 2015 Ballarat Cup winner Shared Equity secured the prestigious cup victory on Saturday night to claim the $47,000 winner's cheque. He edged out Whiskey Riot, which beat Western Envoy by a nose in the Melbourne Cup two weeks ago. Western Envoy's handler Matt Lanigan said it was a good feeling to get one back on Whiskey Riot and even the score at one a piece in the head-to-head. "The dog deserves a special win after running second in the Melbourne Cup," he said. "He's a very special dog and I'm very proud of him." Western Envoy got the edge over Whiskey Riot as they battled it our down the Ballarat straight, in what was the narrowest of finishes. "Once he got to second I was pretty happy, and I thought he could win," Lanigan said. "He ran off a bit on the turn, which allowed Whiskey Riot to get up on the inside and I was hoping he could hold on, which he did." Lanigan, who handled Western Envoy during his first race, said he was one of the best dogs he had ever trained. "He just needs a bit of luck early, which he got and once he got room he just took off and showed people what he could really do." Saturday marked the 12th win for the two-year-old, taking his stake earnings past the $250,000 mark. Lanigan, who handled Western Envoy during his first race, said he was one of the best dogs he had ever seen. Crimson Vixen, trained in Warrnambool by Neil McCullagh, beat Western Envoy in the heats but could only manage third in the final. Favourite La Grand Quality, which was the fastest of the heat winners, came home in fourth place. WATCH THE REPLAY BELOW
Western Envoy has turned the tables on his big rival to win the 2019 Ballarat Cup.
The son of Kinloch Brae and 2015 Ballarat Cup winner Shared Equity secured the prestigious cup victory on Saturday night to claim the $47,000 winner's cheque.
He edged out Whiskey Riot, which beat Western Envoy by a nose in the Melbourne Cup two weeks ago.
Western Envoy's handler Matt Lanigan said it was a good feeling to get one back on Whiskey Riot and even the score at one a piece in the head-to-head.
"The dog deserves a special win after running second in the Melbourne Cup," he said. "He's a very special dog and I'm very proud of him."
Western Envoy got the edge over Whiskey Riot as they battled it our down the Ballarat straight, in what was the narrowest of finishes.
"Once he got to second I was pretty happy, and I thought he could win," Lanigan said. "He ran off a bit on the turn, which allowed Whiskey Riot to get up on the inside and I was hoping he could hold on, which he did."
Lanigan, who handled Western Envoy during his first race, said he was one of the best dogs he had ever trained.
"He just needs a bit of luck early, which he got and once he got room he just took off and showed people what he could really do."
Saturday marked the 12th win for the two-year-old, taking his stake earnings past the $250,000 mark.
Lanigan, who handled Western Envoy during his first race, said he was one of the best dogs he had ever seen.
Crimson Vixen, trained in Warrnambool by Neil McCullagh, beat Western Envoy in the heats but could only manage third in the final.
Favourite La Grand Quality, which was the fastest of the heat winners, came home in fourth place.
