SWAN Hill trainer Gavin Murphy can thank veteran campaigner Zellemsee for delivering him a first Balranald Cup triumph on Saturday.
The eight-year-old gelding broke through for the first major success of his career when he denied favourite Miss Bemuse by a nose in what was a thrilling finish to the $12,500 Cup (1400m).
Murphy’s decision to book 4kg claiming apprentice Jack Martin for the ride proved decisive in the final wash-up, with Zellemsee capitalising on a 7kg weight difference against the brave Wagga-trained mare.
“I didn’t think he could beat the top-weight [Miss Bemuse] with the strength of her form, but to his credit he did,” Murphy said.
“He didn’t handle the bend today, but the scenario was he toughed it out and it’s great to win a first Balranald Cup…”
Saturday’s win was just the fourth of Zellemsee’s 58-start career, and first in nine appearances since joining the Murphy stable in April last year.
“He’s an old cheat, but he hasn’t worked out how to cheat this way of going and his rating is a bit lower in NSW than Victoria,” Murphy said.
“He didn’t handle the bend today, but the scenario was he toughed it out and it’s great to win a first Balranald Cup.”
It was also the first Cup success in the tender career of promising 18-year-old hoop Martin, who is based in Melbourne, but cutting his teeth on the country circuit.
“That was my third winner — the first two came at Manangatang and Gunbower before Christmas — so this is a big thrill for me,” Martin said.
“My master Mick [Cerchi] has won a few Balranald Cups as a trainer and he said to me it was a great race to win, so it’s good to get it off the list.”
Martin hailed Zellemsee’s toughness during those pulsating concluding stages.
“At the last furlong I thought he might fade away because I had to get on my bike early and sustain a long run from the 800m, but he stuck on well and was strong late,” Martin said.
“I thought I got the bob in on the line, the finish here favours the outside horse and the photo went our way.”
Martin capped his best day yet in the saddle by completing a double in the final race aboard the Jennifer Williams-trained Maxport, leaving him one win away from outriding his 4kg claim.
Fellow apprentice Kristen Smart also rode a double, headlined by Leeton galloper Anotherwayout, a smart winner of the Dick Gorman Memorial.
Smart’s other winner came aboard Wagga-trained Greeley.
Deniliquin trainer Tommy Lanyon teamed up with Nick Heywood to win the second with The Main Show and the long trip from Adelaide was worth it for trainer Will Clarken and apprentice Caitlin Forrest when Kampkooker prevailed in the opener.
A crowd of about 600 watched the running of the 2014 Cup.
