The Maddy Raymond-trained Wentwood (GB) added Wednesday’s $400,000 Group III ApIam Bendigo Cup (2400m) to the trophy case that already houses the St Arnaud, Werribee and Terang Cups.
With Harry Coffey replacing the suspended Damian Lane, the 7yo son of Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi needed to dig deep in the final stages to repel the challenge of the favourite Smokin' Romans (Ghibellines) by a short-head with Taramansour (IRE) (Dansili) a further half-neck back in third.
A last start second to Duais in the Coongy Cup, Wentwood (GB) advances his record to seven three two from 30 starts with earnings of $565,288.
“He is so tough and he’s come so far in twelve months,” Raymond said.
“It was nearly twelve months ago that he won the St Arnaud Cup and that was a sigh of relief. To get here today and win this race and see how well he is relaxing is a huge achievement from the whole team at home.
“I just wanted to see him relax. Barrier one was a bit of question because he likes a bit of room.
“Harry gave him the perfect ride.
“The key to him is getting him to switch off which he did do today. There were a few moments there where they steadied, and I thought we might be in a bit of trouble.
“It is a huge result for great owners (Glen and Jane Davies) and great for the stable.
“I do have to pay credit to my partner, Paddy. He rides all the work. He’s done the most fantastic job with him. He wasn’t a horse that you would have said twelve months ago that you would have got out of bed for, but he certainly does now.
“He was my very first horse when I got my trainers licence. Glen and Jane Davies sent this horse to me, so it is nice to reward them.
“The Ballarat Cup was on the cards. We’ll get him home and assess. We had the option to throw a nomination in for the Mackinnon. That is ten days away and it might come around a bit soon. He does like his runs spaced a little, bit but he does bounce through his runs well at the moment. We’ll get him home and assess.”
Coffey said the import takes some riding.
“That’s awesome. I’m actually a bit physically buggered. He’s not an easy ride and I will admit I didn’t get him to relax very well at all,” he said.
A 15,000gns purchase by Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock from the Oakshott Bloodstock & Hungerford Park Stud draft at the 2015 December Foal Sale, before making €46,000 to the bid of Glyn Davies when offered by Kildaragh Stud at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale a year later.
Wentwood (GB) is out of the Dansili mare Desert Liaison from the family of champion NZ 2yo filly Chant and the dual Group 1 winner Recite.
Wentwood (GB) becomes the seventh stakes-winner for Pour Moi (IRE) who relocated to Haras De Cercy in 2019 at a fee of €3,500.
