Although it’s been a while between wins for Camelot stayer Sir Lucan (IRE), the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained 7yo returned to the scene of his most recent success some 12 months prior to the day, recording consecutive victories in the $200,000 Listed ATC Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.
Improving significantly off a disappointing effort in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) a few weeks back when resuming from a spell, the Tulloch Lodge trainee appeared to appreciate a more forward ride from jockey Adam Hyeronimus who had the gelding settled on the rail, tracking stablemate and race favourite Bear On The Loose (IRE) (Footsetepsinthesand).
When the runs started to come from back in the field, ultimately softening up the leader, Sir Lucan was getting a lovely cart into the race and when the home turn was reached, Hyeronimus came to the outside of Bear On The Loose to make his challenge.
While there were runs coming from both his inside and also along the rail, Sir Lucan knuckled down strongly, pulling clear to defeat Bear On The Loose by just over a half-length margin with the Annabel and Rob Neasham trained Hopeful (Fr) (Motivator) working home along the inside for third.
"He loves the Winter Cup, Sir Lucan. He won it last year and he's won it this year," stable representative Neil Paine said.
"Bear On The Loose is a horse you can't hold up and you have to let run along. Young Zac Wadick rode him an absolute treat and it was good to see him fight out the finish.
"But Adam was right on his tail, knew exactly where he was going and got out at the right time.
"It's just great for Sir Lucan, I don't think he has won in between this year and last year."
"He needs to be ridden like that. It's the same ride as in the race last year," Hyeronimus said.
"He can sprint once he has a soft, economical run but he had to do it early and he's had to carry 57 (kilos) today in this race so he's done a good job and he was tough late.
"Just book me for this race next year."
Taking his record to five wins, four at Listed level from 30 starts, and over $600,000 in earnings, Sir Lucan is from an elite international pedigree, known for winning one of Australasia's greatest races.
Sir Lucan is a full brother to ill-fated and former Ciaron Maher-trained Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet (IRE), and half-brother to Group 2 winner Les Pavots (No Nay Never), all from Group 3 placed Oasis Dream mare Sparrow, herself a grand-daughter of Arc winning blue hen Urban Sea (Miswaki), the dam of eight winners, all stakes winners, led by Champion Sires Galileo and Sea The Stars who between the two of them have sired over 520 international stakes winners.
