BOOKMAKERS round Australia took a pounding when Victorian owned and trained Hurdy Gurdy Man scored an emphatic win in the Group 3 $225,000 AAMI Hobart Cup over 2400 metres at Tattersall’s Park today.
Hurdy Gurdy Man was sensationally backed in from $7.50 late in the week to $4.50 and he also was the medium of a mini plunge on-course to start the $3.80 favourite ahead of local stayer Norsqui and the Robert Smerdon trained gelding Westsouthwest at $7.
The early favourites The Cleaner and last year’s winner Geegees Blackflash were noticeable drifters in the betting with Geegees Blackflash easing to $10 while The Cleaner touched $8 before firming slightly to start at $7.50.The Cleaner was expected to lead and that eventuated while Norsqui enjoyed a cushy run in the one-out line with cover and the Gai Waterhouse-trained Power Broker settled on the leader’s back.
Geegees Blackflash settled just better than midfield while Hurdy Gurdy Man was just in arrears and on the rails.
When jockey Jason Maskiell called on The Cleaner to extend his lead the Mick Burles-trained five-year-old responded but that’s when Geegees Blackflash was set alight by Peter Mertens and at the top of the home straight it appeared as if “The Flash” would make it back-to-back cups.
But that’s when three-time Melbourne 4 Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss called on Hurdy Gurdy Man to chime in with his run.
So fast did Hurdy Gurdy Man finish it appeared as if the five-year-old entire had jumped the fence and just joined in the race.
It was an emphatic win and with the Tattsbet $100,000 Cups Double Bonus up for grabs he is likely to proceed to the AAMI Launceston Cup in an attempt to cash in on the bonus.
It was a great result for trainer Darren Weir as this was his fourth AAMI Hobart Cup success having won previously with True Courser (2006) Offenbach (2008) and Gotta Keep Cool (2009).
Hurdy Gurdy Man was well treated at the weights carrying the minimum of 54 kilograms and jockey Glen Boss explained how the horse was aimed at the Hobart Cup with the hope of getting in with a light weight.
Listen to what jockey Glen Boss had to say about Hurdy Gurdy Man’s win – CLICK HERE.