Imported stayer Trade Commissioner showed an impressive turn of pace to score a narrow win over stablemate Beyond Thankful in the 2014 Wagga Wagga Gold Cup this afternoon.
Craig Newitt steered Trade Commisioner to victory in the 2014 Wagga Wagga Gold Cup this afternoon. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Trade Commissioner was well-backed in the lead-up to the race, after he performed well in his first three starts in Australia, and jockey Craig Newitt rode the son of Montjeu like he was the best horse in the racing; settling him on the rail towards the tail of the field in the early stages of the race.
The five-year-old gelding tracked into the race nicely and stormed from the pack when asked for an extra effort by Newitt to rundown Beyond Thankful, who had kicked clear at the 250 metre mark.
Newitt was clearly thrilled to score a feature race win in memory of his grandfather who passed away yesterday and is of the opinion that Trade Commissioner will go on to perform at Group level in Australia.
“He showed his class and showed a good turn of foot that he didn’t show at Sandown the other day,” Newitt said after the race.
“On top of the ground they have always said that he has a good turn-of-foot and a bit of class and they just had a bit of trouble getting him to switch off.
“His last couple he has really shown that and he showed his authority today.
“It is pretty special, my grandfather passed away yesterday and he always liked to watch the good horses go around and I am sure that this horse will go on to better things.”
Owners Richard Pegum and Gary Towzell have purchased a number of horses with the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup in mind, but have previously been unable to win the race that they call their Melbourne Cup.
Pegum said that he was extremely excited to finally record a win in Wagga Wagga’s feature race, while Towzell was unable to hide his emotions at the conclusion of the race.
“We are very, very emotional about it,” Pegum said
“We have tried to do this for a long time and I’ve been coming here for 34 years and Gary probably 50 years, so for both of us we are very excited.
“It is huge and this is his Melbourne Cup.
“I think that we will wait and put him out.”
Fellow imported galloper Beyond Thankful finished in second place, well clear of the rest of the field, while Brett Cavanough-trained Price Of Glory finished a narrow third in a photo finish from Too Hi Tek.
