Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have been enjoying a lot of success at country meetings teaming up with in form jockey Winona Costin and they got the cash again at Muswellbrook on Tuesday with a first starter by Vancouver sent out at $31!
Maple Gold had failed to flatter in three previous barrier trials, but he had the famed fitness of the Tulloch Lodge training regime to have him ready for a first up tilt at 1500m and looked a class above.
Drawn near the outside, he was allowed to get into a rhythm by Winona Costin back in the field, but when the pace slowed she had no hesitation going forward to seize the lead well before turning or home.
Maple Gold kept up a good gallop and was never seriously challenged by the race favourite Indicative, who never got closer than a length and three-quarters.
Maple Gold was a $100,000 Magic Millions purchase for his trainers from the Coolmore draft and runs for a big syndicate of owners, who will be cashed up if they backed him today!
Maple Gold is the fourth winner from five foals to race from Money Tree, a metro winning half-sister by Fastnet Rock to stakes-winner Moqueen from the family of $7million earner Criterion and Group I winner Comin’ Through.
