Tulloch Lodge stayer Sir Lucan has etched his name into the history books, becoming only the third horse in nearly seven decades to capture the Winter Cup twice.
After a disappointing return last month where he settled at the rear and never made an impact, Sir Lucan bounced back with a more aggressive ride from Adam Hyeronimus that completely turned his form around.
Jumping from a wide gate, Hyeronimus pushed forward and settled just behind the favourite Bear On The Loose ($3), before pouncing in the straight to win by three-quarters of a length at odds of $21. Hopeful ($31) rounded out the placings, a long neck back in 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.”
Sir Lucan’s form has been patchy over the past year, and Hyeronimus acknowledged the gelding has two sides—but the best version turned up at Rosehill on Saturday.
“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.”
The win could mark a big week for part-owners Adam and Monique Annetts, who jetted off to London post-race to watch Storm Boy compete in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot.
While Coolmore holds the majority ownership, the Annetts have maintained a small stake in the former Tulloch Lodge colt.
“If they were flying economy they will be flying first class now,” Paine quipped.
Only Destiny’s Kiss (2013 and 2019) and Royal Bark (1962-63) had previously achieved the feat of winning the Winter Cup (2400m) twice.
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