Sport
22 April, 2021
Wentwood delivers Raymond first Terang Cup
MADDIE Raymond’s short career as a racehorse trainer continues to prosper following Wentwood’s victory in Sunday’s $70,000 Sungold Milk Terang Cup.
MADDIE Raymond’s short career as a racehorse trainer continues to prosper following Wentwood’s victory in Sunday’s $70,000 Sungold Milk Terang Cup.
The six year-old import delivered Warrnambool-based trainer Raymond her first Terang Cup and another major victory when it held off a number of the challengers in the final stages of the 2150 metre event.
It follows wins in the $25,000 St Arnaud Cup and $125,000 Werribee Cup and has now paved the way for Raymond to have an assault on her hometown cup.
Raymond, who took out her training licence only 13 months ago, was thrilled with the result, adding the win was “huge” for her stable.
“Obviously these local tracks are quite important to us,” she said.
“They do such a good job preparing the tracks and they’re quite accessible to us coming here so to go home with a Terang Cup is huge.
“I’m a young trainer starting off and have only been doing it for 12 months so to get a couple of country cups and a Terang Cup which is close to home is super.
“It’s helping me get my name out there a bit.”
Raymond said the win was also special for owners Glen and Jane Davies.
The pair backed the 27 year-old when she took out her licence in January last year.
“It means the world to me to get this one with these owners,” Raymond said.
“They’ve supported me since day one. This horse arrived before I even had my licence and they have just backed me and supported me.
“To be able to repay them is awesome.”
Having recently returned from a spell, Wentwood was superbly ridden to victory by top hoop Damian Lane.
Having drawn the inside barrier, Lane was able to obtain cover and positioned his mount behind the leaders.
He remained patient until the 300 metre mark, before he worked the horse to the front when a gap presented.
Lane and Wentwood then held on over the final 150 metres, with the pair holding off late challenges from swoopers Home By Midnight and Kyshaka.
Raymond credited Lane for his steer, adding Wentwood’s toughness proved vital in the finish.
“He’s only second up so he’s done very well today (Sunday),” she said.
“He kept a bit of residual fitness from his last preparation as he didn’t have too long off.
“The barrier, before the race we weren’t too happy, we’d probably have like to see him draw out wide, get back and run on.
“But having drawn inside, and with the way the track was racing on the day, I thought Damian did a great job to get him to where he was and then to get him to relax and settle.”
The win now has Wentwood on the path to the $250,000 Warrnmabool Cup, which will be held on May 7.
Raymond said her hometown cup had “been the goal for a while now” but added a number of factors would come into consideration when deciding whether Wentwood runs in the race.
“He doesn’t really get through heavy ground so we’ll play it by ear,” she said.
“If it’s wet ground we’ll steer clear but there’s a race over in Adelaide as well that we could head over to get some better ground.
“We’ll definitely nom and see what weight he gets.
“He’ll get a penalty off today (Sunday), so it’s pending weight and track conditions but the Warrnambool Cup is the plan.”