Bianco Vilano accomplished the scarce Riverina showcase double, besting a talented group in the Listed $200,000 Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) at Wagga Wagga held on Friday.
Ron Stubbs, a trainer held in high regard, prepared Bianco Vilano, marking him as merely the fourth to secure the Albury Cup–Wagga Wagga Gold Cup pairing.
Two years ago Fawkner Park did it, and before that only Abstraction in 1989 and Dan Patch in 1945 had managed the double.
Bianco Vilano at $12, with Jason Lyon aboard after Tyler Schiller’s injury ruled him out, won by slightly more than one length over Villasaurus ($21), and last season’s winner Flying Bandit ($12) filled third spot closely.
Over his lengthy, trophy-filled tenure, Stubbs had taken most Riverina highlights except the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup, which now belongs to him.
“This is a huge thrill,” Stubbs told Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Graeme White.
“To be able to win both of them (Albury Cup, Wagga Wagga Gold Cup) is amazing. He has gone to another level.
“It was unfortunate Tyler could not be here today but I’m pleased for Jason. He does a lot of work for our stable, he is our stable jockey.”
Lyon, recognising Schiller after the event, commented that it “didn’t go to plan early” for Bianco Vilano.
“But when we came out on the corner, I was pretty confident,” Lyon said.
“We hit the front a bit early but he was just too good. He is very versatile as he’s won from 1175m and now twice at 2000m.”
The Wagga Wagga Gold Cup score by Bianco Vilano opens the door to the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Royal Randwick, first Tuesday of November.
During the prominent Wagga Wagga program, John Sargent claimed a pair of feature wins, including the $200,000 Inglis 2yo Challenge (1200m) with striking first-up runner Global Goal.
This Pinatubo two-year-old filly, from Fastnet Rock mare Tides who is kin to Redoute’s Choice, Manhattan Rain and Shoals, was bought for $250,000 at the previous Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Global Goal, with Dylan Gibbons riding, won by just over a length from Gary Portelli’s debut-making Friendly Fire, who ran with promise.
Sargent further featured with the developing three-year-old Cosmic Avenger, victor of the $80,000 MTC Guineas (1600m) via a swift finish.
Ridden by Tommy Berry, Cosmic Avenger trailed early, raced outwards on the turn, but accelerated in the run home to overhaul Godolphin’s Coulter comfortably.
From Wodonga, David O’Prey readied Rosie’s Prophecy under Brendan Ward for an unexpected score in the $75,000 Queen of the South (1400m).
Hall of Fame conditioner Gai Waterhouse attended as finely bred Eton crushed rivals in the Super Maiden (1200m) by nearly four lengths on return.
Bred from champion I Am Invincible and Waterhouse’s dual Group 1 mare English, Eton was back after 18 months out with injury for start number three, and the gelding’s blowout win points to a bright track career.
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