Carry On Jake defended his unbeaten Armidale record to win Saturday’s $30,000 Guyra Cup (1400 metres).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Trained at Glen Innes by Paddy Cunningham, the $10 pop relished the chance to dictate terms from in front with a ¾ length win from Our Masquerade ($18).
“The only worry for me going into the race surrounded whether he could jump in front,” Cunningham said.
“Once he did that, I was confident he had what it took to win the race.”
Saturday’s success was his third in as many appearances at the venue and Cunningham said he would now tackle the jewel of the New England’s thoroughbred racing crown, the $40,000 Armidale Cup (1900m) on March 20.
“He was second emergency for Saturday’s race, so hopefully now he’s won the Guyra Cup he’ll get in to the Armidale Cup,” he said.
“He’s won twice at 1900m at Armidale previously.”
A son of Great Britain-bred stallion Carry The Flag, Carry On Jake lifted his career record to four wins from 18 starts and his prizemoney earnings past the $50,000 barrier, and has more in store according to the trainer.
“He’s just getting better this horse, more stronger and more tractable in his races,” Cunningham said.
For jockey Jackson Murphy, Carry On Jake delivered his second straight Guyra Cup after winning aboard Shazza’s Bubbles 12 months earlier. The apprentice looks set to retain the mount for the Armidale Cup.
“He’s won the horse before and he rode a few winners for me when he was a 4kg claimer,” Cunningham said.
Elegies staked his claim as a genuine Armidale Cup threat by winning the 1900m Prelude.
I was confident he had what it took to win the race.
- Paddy Cunningham
Trained at Texas by Rod Hilton, the seven-year-old produced a dashing display to power away by 2 3/4 lengths from Go Dragon.
Elegies is enjoying a love affair with the Armidale circuit, with four wins from five starts at the venue.
Stephen Gleeson’s Isadiva won the first race while Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan won race two with My Little Diva. Fellow Tamworth trainer Craig Martin won the next race with Bullet Kid.
Inverell trainer Shane Edmonds had a win in the fourth race with Mishani Scout. Peter Cheers’ Swift Reply was the winner of race six and the final race was won by Chasing Malcolm.
