Ecuador has led from start to finish to continue an impressive run of form through the Listed WJ McKell Cup (2400m) at Royal Randwick Racecourse this afternoon.
Ecuador led from start to finish in this afternoon’s Listed WJ McKell Cup at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart
Plenty of hype surrounded the debut of classy import Raw Impulse in the WJ McKell Cup this afternoon, leaving horses like Ecuador the Havana Cooler to drift in betting markets leading up to jump.
Experiencing a good jump, jockey Adam Hyeronimus was able to cross the field from a wide draw and take up the pace aboard Ecuador; setting only a fair tempo past the post the first time alongside Iggi Pop.
Settling into a good rhythm and experiencing a carefree run in transit, Hyeronimus was greeted with an impressive turn of foot upon arriving in the final straight; continuing to pull clear to hit find the line two lengths ahead of Iggi Pop and a fast-finishing Havana Cooler.
Trainer Gai Waterhouse was thrilled with Ecuador’s win in the WJ McKell Cup and revealed he will progressed to the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm Racecourse in a fortnight.
“Didn’t he ride him a treat, he judged him so perfectly,” Waterhouse said.
“Brisbane Cup here we come! I can’t wait with Ecuador, I’ve been very patient with this horse and its paying dividends, he has a lot potential he’s just taking a bit of time to mature.”
Hyeronimus delivered an impressive performance aboard Ecuador to win the 2016 WJ McKell Cup but directed all the praise towards this classy gelding, who had to overcome a race-high weight on a heavy track.
“He’s racing really well,” Hyeronimus said after dismounting.
“I didn’t think I was going to have a problem winning as soon as we entered the back straight – he was just dead-set jogging and had an easy time.
“It was just a matter of waiting until the 600m, letting him roll into it and pull away.
“Full credit goes to the horse – it was a good win, he carried topweight on a rain-affected track and he’s dictated from the front.”
Punters who backed Ecuador to win the 2016 WJ McKell Cup with Ladbrokes.com.au have been paid out on generous $10 odds for success!
2016 WJ McKell Cup Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | ECUADOR (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse | Adam Hyeronimus | – | 12 | 59.5kg | $10 |
| 2 | 7 | IGGI POP (NZ) | Peter Robl | Grant Buckley | 1.8L | 11 | 54.5kg | $20 |
| 3 | 3 | HAVANA COOLER (IRE) | John O’Shea | Brenton Avdulla | 3.6L | 10 | 59kg | $8 |
| 4 | 8 | RAW IMPULSE (GB) | Darren Weir | Sam Clipperton | 4L | 4 | 54kg | $1.60F |
| 5 | 6 | HAWKSPUR | Chris Waller | Koby Jennings (a) | 4.7L | 1 | 58kg | $17 |
| 6 | 5 | BEYOND THANKFUL (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 5.8L | 2 | 58kg | $21 |
| 7 | 14 | REIBY THE RED | Jason Attard | Taylor Marshall (a) | 7.2L | 8 | 54kg | $101 |
| 8 | 11 | MURPHY’S DELIGHT (IRE) | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 7.4L | 3 | 54kg | $26 |
| 9 | 10 | GHOST PROTOCOL (IRE) | Paul Perry | Peter Wells | 9.9L | 5 | 54kg | $41 |
| 10 | 2 | OPINION (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 10.6L | 9 | 59.5kg | $41 |
| 11 | 15 | SETTLE THE FUTURE | Greg Bennett | Christian Reith | 13.3L | 6 | 54kg | $151 |
| 12 | 9 | TREMEC (NZ) | John P Thompson | Jay Ford | 25.7L | 7 | 54kg | $61 |
