Trainer Darren Weir has confirmed that Shiny Buttons will run in the 2014 Warrnambool Cup on Thursday after scoring an impressive win in the City Of Warrnambool Handicap (1700m) yesterday afternoon.
Shiny Buttons is now on the second line of 2014 Warrnambool Cup betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Shiny Buttons was settled on the rail in the second half of the field by jockey Brad Rawiller and he tracked into the race beautifully coming around the final turn before hitting the front at the 200 metre mark.
The Reset gelding stormed clear from the rest of the field in the final stages of the race and recorded a dominant four lengths victory from Evenmoreaction and Me Hungi to stamp himself as a leading contender for the Warrnambool Cup.
Trainer Darren Weir was delighted to see Shiny Buttons score his first race win of his autumn preparation and told the media after the race that he was pleased with the ease of the victory.
“It was just nice to see the horse win and attack the line,” Weir said.
“He had been running a lot of seconds, but I’m sure that will do the horse’s confidence good.
“He looked to be really bolting at the 600 and he only had to get out to the middle of the track and you knew he was going to run home strongly.
“It all worked out well.”
Shiny Buttons will be having his second start in the Warrnambool Cup, after finishing third behind Banco Mo and Muirfield, in last year’s race and is returning to black type racing for the first time since he finished second behind Motivado in the Group 3 Queen’s Cup (2500m) at Morphettville last year.
Weir currently dominates the 2014 Warrnambool Cup betting market; with Akzar ($3.50) a clear favourite from Shiny Buttons ($6).
Akzar failed to fire in the Warrnambool Cup last year, but has found his best form this preparation; scoring three straight wins before finishing second behind Our Voodoo Prince in the Community Raceday Handicap (2000m) at Flemington on April 5 and the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on April 19.
The only other runners available at single figure Warrnambool Cup odds are Australian Hurdle winner Westsouthwest ($7.50), who is taking winning form into the race, last year’s winner Banca Mo ($8) and Aaron Purcell-trained St Jean ($8).
Weir will score a brand new luxury car if he records at least two wins, including a victory in a feature race, on the final two days of the Warrnambool Racing Carnival.
