After 15 months out of the winner's circle, the 6-year-old Pins gelding Sir Plush earned a career highlight win in Thursday's $150,000 Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m).
Given the run of the race by Glyn Schofield, Sir Plush wore down the game Deep Impact gelding Satono Rasen (JPN) to win by a half-head High Chaparral's Fabrizio one and a half lengths back in third.
A grand servant for the Bjorn Baker stable, Sir Plush advances his record to 8 wins, 7 seconds and 3 from 36 starts with earnings of $498,585. (photo Steve Hart )
"I had the most beautiful run. He was a little bit unfortunate he didn't win the other day, but he showed a lot of fight and gave me the indication that stepping up in trip wouldn't be a bad idea so well done to Bjorn and Jack (Bruce) for putting him in this race," Schofield told Sky Racing.
"I put him to sleep to make sure he would run the trip out and when the pressure came at the 600 I didn't want to go so sat and bided my time and made sure I had a horse to run out the trip."
Stable Forman Jack Bruce said it was a well-deserved first stakes win.
"It's good for (owner) Maurie McLeod to get a Listed winner. Bjorn's had some good results for him, so this is another feather in his cap," Bruce said.
"I thought it was a good ride. It was a funny run race, they pored the pressure on from the 600 (metres) and he was going backwards. But he is tough, he always has been, that's his best attribute. Bjorn built him up slowly and really had him fit for this race today.
"He's always been a very good horse, very sound, it's good he got a Listed win because he deserves it."
Bred in New Zealand by Amadi Park, Sir Plush is the third and final foal of the imported Theatrical mare Luxurious Lady (USA) who died a few months after foaling Sir Plush.
Her second foal Twya (Thewayyouare) won the Listed Wanganui Guineas while her first foal Shaky (Pins) won in New Zealand and Malaysia.
Luxurious Lady (USA) comes from a family that has enjoyed considerable success in the southern hemisphere.
Her granddam Grand Luxe (Sir Ivor) is also the third dam of Flying Spur and fourth dam of Encosta de Lago both champion sires in Australia.
Sir Plush becomes the 80th stakes-winner for Pins who died at Waikato Stud in April last year due to complications from colic.
