Classy stayer Contributer has completed a perfectly-timed run at Caulfield this afternoon, displaying a keen turn of foot in the final straight to comfortably win the Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m) by more than a length.
Contributer has displayed a keen turn of foot to win the Group 3 David Jones Cup. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Jumping from the gates well, the High Chaparral entire settled in prime position on the heels of early leaders Noble Protector, Jacquinot Bay and Honorius, who set a noticeably quick tempo for the first 500m before settling into a steady rhythm.
Slowly moving into prime position rounding the bend, Contributer was offered a clear racing line upon reaching the final straight and charged to the fore of the pack, finishing comfortably ahead of Noble Protector and a fast-finishing Signoff in third.
In-form jockey James McDonald delivered an excellent ride of Contributer in the 2014 David Jones Cup and was quick to praise his classy partner’s potential immediately after crossing the line.
“He’s a grouse horse, he travelled beautifully; probably a little bit fresh but his acceleration … he feels like an Australian horse – he’s got a turn of foot and he just idolizes the last little bit,” McDonald said of the British import.
“I probably pushed the button a little bit early on him but his turn of foot is really good and that’s what’s going to hold him in high regard here.”
Trainer John O’Shea was pleased with Contributer’s first-up Australian performance in the 2014 David Jones Cup, underlining the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on November 1st as a possible next point of call.
“To be fair I can’t take any credit – all the credit must go to the team at Newmarket (Britain),” O’Shea said.
“They’ve done a wonderful job with him and kept him ticking over and James and I just came down and gave him a couple of tune-ups and he responded really well.
“I think we’ll just let him get home and let the dust settle. I’ve always had in the back of my mind that I would run him in the Mackinnon and at this stage until I speak to James and Henry (Plumptre) that’s probably what we’ll do.
“There’s plenty of things available for him.”
Punters who backed Contributer to win the 2014 David Jones Cup and had signed up for a Ladbrokes Card will already have access to their winnings!
2014 David Jones Cup Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | CONTRIBUTER (IRE) | John O’Shea | James McDonald | – | 5 | 57kg | $7.50 |
| 2 | 12 | NOBLE PROTECTOR (GB) | Robert Smerdon | Craig Williams | 1L | 3 | 54kg | $3.80F |
| 3 | 9 | SIGNOFF (IRE) | Darren Weir | Glen Boss | 2.25L | 6 | 54.5kg | $5 |
| 4 | 3 | HONORIUS | David Payne | Corey Brown | 2.35L | 8 | 57kg | $14 |
| 5 | 6 | JACQUINOT BAY | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Kerrin McEvoy | 2.45L | 7 | 55kg | $26 |
| 6 | 5 | KINGDOMS (NZ) | Brian Smith | Dwayne Dunn | 3.7L | 10 | 55.5kg | $10 |
| 7 | 8 | COMMANDING TIME | Brendan McCarthy | Damien Oliver | 4.45L | 1 | 54.5kg | $7 |
| 8 | 11 | MIDSUMMER SUN (GB) | Sam Kavanagh | Tommy Berry | 6.2L | 9 | 54kg | $26 |
| 9 | 7 | VILANOVA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Craig Newitt | 8.45L | 2 | 55kg | $8.50 |
| 10 | 13 | PINSTRIPE LANE (NZ) | Leon & Troy Corstens | Chad Schofield | 12.95L | 4 | 54kg | $31 |
