KERANG hoop Jye McNeil added the Murray Downs Swan Hill Cup to his list of local successes when he steered home Minnie Downs yesterday afternoon.
The six-year-old proved too strong, taking the lead from Let’s Be A Star and Onpicalo in the 150th cup as the 12-horse field headed for home.
McNeil, whose list of Country Cup wins also includes the 2011 Kerang Summer Cup on board De Mars, said he had fancied the mare’s chances despite drawing Barrier 13.
“I was very confident going in. Her previous start at Caulfield was a good run,” he said.
“She drew a wide barrier and the pattern of the carnival was on speed but she proved too good today.”
McNeil said his first Swan Hill Cup felt like a local victory.
“Being from Kerang, it’s pretty close to home so I think it counts as a local track,” he said.
“Winning the [Kerang] Summer Cup was great and it’s real thrill to win the Swan Hill Cup.”
The 20-year-old is riding in Mornington today, with appointments in Geelong tomorrow and Flemington on Wednesday.
The local connections continued with owner Helen McPhee, a former resident of Swan Hill.
In yesterday’s other races, Austy and Harry Coffey celebrated victory in Race 1, with four-year-old mare Cashpaw claiming the Swan Hill Council Maiden Plate to open the day’s proceedings.
The father and son duo backed up the win with victory in Race 4, with Solar Bravo taking out the Pooles Accountants Drought Breaker.
Jockey Jackie Beriman and trainer Shaun Dwyer had a win with Found My Way in Race 2, while hoop Ibrahim Gundogdu and trainer Shea Eden won Race 3 with For The Fallen.
Dean Holland had success aboard Ultimate Doom for Ricky Maund in Race 5.
Cory Parish and Neil Pfeiffer were celebrating the win of She’s Ellie in Race 6.
