Churchill’s Choice’s success, racing tight to the outer rail, left trainer Nathan Doyle buzzing with elation and comfort.
“She has been a frustrating mare as she’s always had the ability but hasn’t won one of these stakes races,” Doyle said.
“But she’s got that good win now and I’m really happy for her owner, Kevin (Hill). He has been quite crook and is in hospital in Brisbane so hopefully that picks him up.”
The mare at $26, with Regan Bayliss in the irons, charged down the outer path to win the Hawkesbury Gold Cup by half a length from Palmetto ($19), followed by War Eternal ($31) in third a like margin back, just in front of $3.30 Taken.
Carl Holt, a leading Sydney owner, missed out narrowly, his royal blue and red vee colours on second, third and fourth placers.
Some fortunate TAB punters hit it big, collecting $6739.10 on the Trifecta and a whopping $53,067.20 First Four.
Trainer Doyle put the win down to revised riding instructions that elicited a peak from Churchill’s Choice.
“We took her back to the trials because we thought she might be a mad fresh horse,” Doyle said.
“She went so well first-up but then was a bit plain at her next run.”So, I got Regan up for the trial as she can hit a flat spot between the 500m and the 300m.
“She is probably dropping back two to three lengths and that’s where she has been losing her races.
“But you could see today that Regan got on his ‘bike’ at the 500m and got her into the race.”
Bayliss said trialling Churchill’s Choice at Gosford on Doyle’s invitation was the turning point for Hawkesbury.
“I’m glad I trialled her as that flat spot can cost her races,” Bayliss said.
“I just wanted to have her within striking range today and when she started to think about ‘dropping’ at the 500m, I kept at her.
“Once she got balanced up in the straight, she had to show a really good turn of foot today but she was strong to the line.”
Now on her third run since resuming, Churchill’s Choice gains qualification for the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick on the first Tuesday in November, Melbourne Cup Day.
Doyle prefers a more imminent option, pondering the Listed $200,000 Scone Cup (1600m) in Scone on May 15.
Check racing odds at trusted sports betting platforms for the Hawkesbury Gold Cup.
