Days don’t get much better for country horse trainers, with Brett and Georgie Cavanough training three winners across meetings at Scone and Albury, which are some nine hours apart.
Brett Cavanough made his name down south, training at Tocumwal and eventually moving to Albury, where he became a force in the Southern Districts training ranks, winning seven SDRA titles.
Now based in Scone, Cavanough has claimed the New South Wales country trainers’ premiership five times, with his name synonymous with success, hard work and professionalism.
On Friday, his daughter Georgie, who’s now a co-trainer alongside her father, travelled two horses from Scone to Albury, and landed an emotional victory as New Pharaoh stormed home for an impressive victory in the $50,000 Country Magic Class Three Handicap (1500m).
Given a patient steer by Andrew Adkins, and despite carrying 61kg on the rain-affected track, it was a very good ride that led to the win, which meant the world to Georgie, Brett, and their family.
“That’s probably the nicest winner I’ve had since taking up training,” Georgie Cavanough said after the win.
“There is nothing like coming back to your old hometown; it’s fantastic.
“It’s nice to come here and see all of our family and friends we’ve had for a long time, and to get a winner is just a bonus.”
The 5YO American Pharaoh gelding is putting together a nice record, having started 15 times, recording four wins, four minor placings, and earning connections over $116,000.
“He’s a beautiful horse,” Cavanough said.
“He’s not the easiest to keep sound, so to get him on a soft track, and I know it’s a long way to come, but it means the world to him.
Having travelled down ‘really well’, the Scone stable nearly left Albury with a winning double after Jasira ran a gusty second in the $50,000 Super Maiden Plate (1175m).
Adkins was again in the saddle, and he took the 3YO Cosmic Force filly forward from gate two, leading most of the way, only going down to race favourite Borjnord (Billy Egan) by 0.74 of a length.
Back at home, Brett was on hand as the stable landed a winning double and daily treble.
Point Basse, ridden by Mitchell Bell, dead-heated with the Nathan Doyle-trained The Extreme Cat (Kerrin McEvoy) in the 1100m Benchmark 82 Handicap.
Leading into the final stages, Point Basse held on gamely to share victory, with the judges unable to separate the pair after a tense photo finish.
The biggest win of the day was Warrior For Peace‘s upset victory in the Northern Country Championships Wildcard Qualifier at Scone.
Jean Van Overmeire took the ride and the pair dashed through to win the $150,000 feature event, garaunteeing connections a start in next month’s $1 million Country Chamionships final at Royal Randwick.
