In Brief
- War Correspondent defies hiccup in prep to win feature race.
- Stevenson emotional after 3YO Cup win.
- Job done now for a spell.
Wesley Vale trainer Glenn Stevenson had to hold back tears when his talented three-year-old War Correspondent scored an emphatic win in the $100,000 3YO Cup over 1200 metres in Launceston on Saturday.
War Correspondent ($4.40) delivered a career-best effort to find the front half-way up the home straight and fight off determined challenges to score comfortably from the favourite Warrior Prince ($2.35) and outsider Reite Den Blitz ($21).
The rider of the fourth horse, Bulent Muhcu fired in a protest against the runner-up, alleging interference over the concluding stages which was subsequently dismissed.
Stevenson said at one stage of the horse’s preparation the 3YO Cup was not in the equation.
“I had trouble with this horse’s feet and at one stage there was no way he was going to get to the 3YO Cup,” Stevenson said.
“I had to keep him shod and work him in the water just to keep the wound clean but he came right and recovered quickly so we were back in contention to get him to the race.”
The prizemoney for the race was doubled to $100,000 for the first time and that made it one of the most sought-after prizes of the spring-summer for three-year-old sprinters.
War Correspondent was ridden by Ismail Toker who had the gelded son of Time for War settled second and one-off without cover while the speedy Thunberg ($9) led with the unbeaten Algernon ($8.50) caught three-wide without cover in the leading bunch.
When they turned for home Toker called on his charge for the big effort and he sped clear and when challenged by the favourite that loomed large, he gave him the slip and went on to score by over two lengths.
“I feel for Daniel (Ganderton jockey) because he’s been with this horse all the way but when I thought the horse wasn’t going to get there he committed to another runner (Freelancer).
“Ismail did a great job, but I still feel for Daniel.”
Ganderton’s mount Freelancer was fractious behind the gates and after missing the start, he was subsequently declared a non-starter when stewards declared he was denied a fair start.
Stevenson said War Correspondent would be in the spelling paddock on Sunday and would be set for the 3YO Vase over 1400m.
Watch War Correspondent win the 3YO Cup in Launceston on Saturday.