It was a good result for the Victorians in a thrilling finish to the $250,000 Group III Richmond Club Hawkesbury Gold Cup, with the well-supported Just Folk defeating the top-weight Detonator Jack.
Given a ground-saving ride by Nash Rawiller, the 7-year-old son of Magnus dealt Detonator Jack (Jakkalberry) his fourth stakes placing by a head, with the import Wewal (GB) (Shalaa) a closing third.
Trained by Gavin Bedggood, Just Folk was contesting his 27th stakes race. Adding the Hawkesbury Gold Cup to wins in the Group II MVRC Schweppes Crystal Mile, Group II ATC Ajax Stakes, and Group III MRC Eclipse Stakes, Just Folk advances his record to eight wins, seven seconds, and four thirds from 40 starts with earnings of $1,193,603.
Originally trained by Josh Julius, Just Folk was a $199,000 purchase for Gavin Bedggood Racing/Mailbag Bloodstock on Inglis Digital in July 2023.
Bred by Leo Dwyer, Just Folk is the best of two winners from three to race out of the unraced Desert Sun (GB) mare Fast Ruby, a half-sister to Group 1 Emirates Stakes winner Tears I Cry.
Dwyer acquired Fast Ruby’s dam Cassazione (Salieri) for $4000 at the 1998 Inglis July Mixed Sale.
A granddaughter of the 1990 Group 1 VRC Oaks heroine Weekend Delight (Racing Is Fun), Fast Ruby has a 2yo sister and a weanling sister to Just Folk and was covered by Nicconi last spring.
