A familiar name made a triumphant return to the winner’s circle this Melbourne Cup Day, as Billycart secured the $200,000 Listed TAB One Pool Trophy.
The progressive filly is trained at Ballarat by Taige Weir, daughter of Darren Weir, who famously trained Prince Of Penzance to victory in the 2015 Melbourne Cup.
It represented the first Flemington winner and Stakes success for Taige, whose previous two runners at the track had achieved minor placings.
“That is amazing,” she exclaimed.
“I knew she has a bit of ability, this horse, but to do it today (is incredible).”
“I thought the experience might get the better of her. There’s a lot of people here today, but to her credit, she just let rip and that’s the horse we know.”
“I’m so glad that she could get the job done today.”
Tuesday’s victory was Billycart’s second win from just two starts. Her debut outing at Kilmore on October 13 saw her score by a convincing 2-3/4 lengths.
The daughter of Dundeel, who went off at $11, was a similarly decisive winner at Flemington, crossing the line 2-1/4 lengths ahead of Mister Whiskers ($6.50). The $3.40 favourite, Star Of Macedon, finished a further 1-1/4 lengths back in third.
Dean Yendall, a jockey who was a key rider for Darren Weir during his training career, has been aboard for both of Billycart’s wins and felt a great deal of satisfaction.
“Words can’t describe it,” he stated.
“I get emotional when I ride for people that I love and it’s obviously been scripted through my latter career, through the obvious guys that I ride for, but it’s only been the last sort of six weeks that I’ve really ridden for Tage.”
“They’re throwing me rides and I’m doing my best on them and winning on them, so that’s a big plus.”
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