Third in the race twelve months ago, the favourite Wil John outlasted the gallant Budd Fox in a stirring length of straight dual in Sunday’s $304,000 Haymes Paint Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool.
Under the topweight of 70kgs, Will John was afforded every chance with a ground saving ride by Will Gordon.
Trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, the 6yo son of Reset defeated the Henry Dwyer-trained Budd Fox (Foxwedge) by a length with the winner’s stablemate Heberite (Raise The Flag) a further 13-lengths back in third.
The winner of the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown back in August, Will John advances his record to ten wins, five seconds and three thirds from 25 starts with earnings of $609,725.
“It really is something special. I didn’t get down last year, but the club and Bill Gibbons have done a fantastic job of promoting this race,” Maher said.
“To win it for Colin and Janice McKenna and connections is unbelievable.
“He is a special horse. His mother was one of the first yearlings I bought for Colin and Janice.”
Col McKenna said Bill Gibbons deserves all the praise for developing the race and denoted his share of the prizemoney to Gibbons.
“It is an absolute credit to people like Bill Gibbons for putting this race on,” McKenna said. “Nobody gives him the credit he deserves.
“He put up $1.2 million of his own money, his own money, to support this race for four years.
“I think it is unbelievable.
“My father, fathers in law and uncles all went to war, so this is bloody special.
“We bred this horse and all our friends are in him. There are 200 supporters here today. Janice and I love the horse.”
There is a sad footnote to the race as Wil John’s dam Arohanui died ten days ago.
Ciaron Maher had purchased Arohanui for $30,000 out of the Oakford Thoroughbred Farm draft at the 2010 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Bianconi (USA) showed ability with two wins and three places from five starts. From the family of Group 1 AJC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Alf and Group III BATC Doomben Stakes winner Gladfull, Arohanui’s first three foals are winners.
She has a 2yo colt by Street boss, a yearling filly by Impending and foaled a Puissance De Lune (IRE) filly in September.
