The David Hayes trained Extra Zero made amends for last year’s defeat when he took out the Listed $170,000 Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup (2000m) today.
Extra Zero was sent out the $4.40 favourite in the Cup last year but was unable to run down Paddy O’Reilly with Glen Boss aboard.
Extra Zero, who started at the good odds of $10, is usually a backmarker but was taken to the front by Nash Rawiller who crossed the field from the outside barrier.
Once in front on the fence Rawiller was able to set up a fairly leisurely tempo and was always going to be hard to run down.
Peter Robl on the well supported World Wide was first to make a move and joined Extra Zero on the home turn but Rawiller still had a lap full of horse and hadn’t moved on the winner.
Rawiller held the five year together until the 250m then was able to hold off the late challenge of Muirfield by one length with the fast finishing King Diamond only a head away in third spot.
Favourite Under The Hat ($3.60) raced midfield and even though he made up some ground in the straight, never looked like a winning chance.
Rawiller has a couple of busy days ahead of him.
He will head to Moonee Valley tonight to ride Foxwedge for John O’Shea in the Group 1 $400,000 Power Tracker William Reid Stakes (1200m) before heading back to Sydney for the Coolmore Classic meeting at Rosehill tomorrow.
Rawiller’s Rosehill rides include the Gai Waterhouse trained pair of Pierro in the Group 2 $300,000 Spotless Todman Slipper Trial (1200m) and More Joyous in the Group 2 $175,000 Myer Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
