FORMER Kerang trainer Jarrod Robinson has just executed the most amazing slow-motion strategy to win the $30,000 Nutrien Ag Manangatang Cup.
You Betcha Woo, a 14-start maiden bought online for just $2500, had its first run for him at the 2023 Manangatang Cup meeting and was a winner.
Just not of the cup – at least on that occasion.
But Robinson said he picked up the then four-year-old gelding with bush cups in mind, so to be back at Manangatang a year later to win the cup itself had been a real buzz.
Mind you, the bargain-basement buy had certainly paid his way to get back to Manang – he now has two wins there, and two at Mildura, for his new owner.
And there might well be more to come.
Robinson said the now five-year-old will be targeting the St Arnaud Cup, and possibly head for Wycheproof after that.
“I really did buy him as a maiden with Manangatang in mind, and to get a win with his first start for me was fantastic,” he said.
Four wins in 12 months with a $2500 horse is even better than fantastic for a Bendigo-based trainer with a small team of eight in work.
“I asked the jockey (Sarah Field) to ride for a bit luck as this fella races best when ridden quietly, so he spent a fair bit of time at the back of the field for the 2000m journey,” Robinson said.
“It was also her first ride for a while, she has been injured, so she did a great job to get him through the field in the straight.
“I like to go after the small cups so it’s even better to get a win – with my smaller team you have to pick races where you know they are going to be competitive.”
And competitive was the right word for the meeting.
After winning the cup Robinson saddled Kerang-owned Lescot in the final race of the day, the $20,000 bet365 Protest Promise over 1175m.
Lescot put on a dazzling display in the straight to gun down the Nathan Hobson-trained Toojay in the shadows of the post and also hold off the fast-finishing Palentine’s Day.
“Lescot is a very genuine and honest horse, which has been knocking on the door this prep and the win was really well deserved,” Robinson said.
