Birthday boy Justin Stanley made the long trek to Cooma in the Snowy Mountains on Saturday and returned home with some silverware for his efforts.
Riding for Wangaratta trainer Craig Weeding, Stanley jumped aboard defending Cooma Cup champion, Fox Appeal, which started the $1.80 favourite in the $20,000 feature race.
The 6YO Foxwedge gelding was ridden quietly at the rear of the field, as the Andrew Bourke-trained Ferrari Man (Ryan Bradley, $2.70) and Becky Byrne-trained Dream Inherit (Jessica Brookes, $4.40) battled for the early lead.
Stanley then unleashed a strong run on Fox Appeal, with the Victorian powering to a nearly two-length win.
While it is a long trip from Wangaratta to Cooma, the trip home was one that Stanley enjoyed alongside fellow jockey Sarah McDonough, who coincidentally rode Fox Appeal to victory in the 2024 Cooma Cup.
“It was awesome; a great day and good to win,” Stanley told Country Punter.
“We had the float on, so it was five and a half hours there but seven hours on the way back; I made Sarah drive and had a few beers,” Stanley laughed.
When asked about the win and Fox Appeal‘s well-timed run, Stanley explained that it was a matter of remaining patient before unleashing the recent Balranald Cup winner at Cooma.
“They went crazy up front, and even though I got held up at about the 450-500m mark for a stride or two with the slow horse coming into my face, I popped outside the heels of it, picked the right runs, and we won,” he said.
Stanley had a terrific day in the saddle, taking six rides for one win, two seconds, and two thirds, which ended a recent and frustratingly close run of minor place finishes at Albury, Tumut and Wagga.
“I’ve had a rough time with decent rides of late,” Stanley said.
“All last season, I rode 15 or 16 winners, and had a good time, but I never rode a cup winner.
“So, it was good to get that win, and I’ve got to thank Craig and Dan McCarthy for the recent opportunities and rides.”
It was a big day at Cooma on Saturday, with the once-a-year meeting well-supported by locals and visitors alike.
Sydney Jockey Molly Bourke, formerly of Tumbarumba, was available to ride after the weekend’s metropolitan meeting at Rosehill Gardens was transferred to Sunday.
The popular apprentice took full advantage on the day, winning two races, helping the Darryl Rolfe-trained Spiritual Mystery ($7.50) to victory in the Maiden Plate (1000m) before winning the $20,000 Sundowners Maiden Cup (1400m) on the Debbie Prest-trained Queen Kicker ($15).
Fellow apprentice Jessica Brookes also rode a winning double, combining with Becky Byrne when winning on Rosy Sue ($8) in the Benchmark 45 Handicap (1000m) and Rager ($3.50) in the Benchmark 45 Handicap (1400m).
