Champion jockey Craig Williams went to Kilmore on Sunday for just one ride, and he made it count when giving Pancho a peach in the $150,000 Listed bet365 Kilmore Cup (1600m).
Ridden aggressively in the early stages to take advantage of an inside barrier, the 4yo son of Dissident enjoyed the run of the race, tracking the leader Magna Bella before taking control with 250 metres to run.
While everything fell into the lap of Pancho, little went right for the favourite Tavidance. After missing the start, he found the back of a slow one that took him back through the field.
Tavidance eventually found some clear air along the rail, but by then the bird had flown. The son of Tavistock fell three-quarter of a length short of Pancho with the Savabeel gelding Black Sail back in third.
Trained by Chris Waller, Pancho was winning for the first time since defeating Russian Camelot in the Listed VRC TCL TV Stakes (1800m) at Flemington over a year ago.
“Craig was keen to come here for the ride, and he gave him a peach today,” stable representative Cameron Cooke said.
“He is a consistent horse, and coming back in distance was a concern as he likes the mile.
“We were even more confident when Craig wanted to come here for the ride.
“It’s really good for Louis (Mihalyka) and his team at Laurel Oak. They are good supporters of the stable.”
With his second stakes win, Pancho advances his record to four wins, two seconds and two thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $546,200.
Bred by Sledmere Stud, Pancho made $150,000 as a weanling at the Magic Millions National Sale when bought by Hancock Quality Bloodstock (FBAA)/Newgate Farm. He was re-offered by Newgate at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale fetching $165,000 to the bid of Laurel Oak Bloodstock.
He is the only foal to race out of the Group III placed Written Tycoon mare Novel Dancer, whose Russian Revolution weanling colt made $150,000 to the bid of Laurel Oak Bloodstock when offered by Sledmere Stud at the 2020 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Novel Dancer missed to Hellbent last year.
Pancho is one of two stakes-winners for Sebring’s champion son Dissident, who stands at Newgate Farm at a fee of $11,000.
