Trainer Steve Wolfe and jockey Shaun McGruddy continued their impressive run in country racing, securing another major regional victory within a week.
Just seven days after their Quokka-bound sprinter, Rope Them In, claimed the $400,000 Bluff Knoll (1099m) at Albany, the stable celebrated again as Currimundi stormed home to take out the Listed Pinjarra Cup (2300m) on Sunday.
In a thrilling finish, Currimundi surged from ninth at the turn to snatch victory from Fear The Wind in the final strides. The race developed into a gripping three-way battle, with Currimundi edging out Fear The Wind by a short-neck, while Demolish, who briefly hit the front, finished a further long-neck away in third.
Race favorite and recent Bunbury Cup winner Captain Pluto settled toward the rear and made up ground late but was never a genuine threat in the straight, finishing fourth.
A son of the sought-after sire Playing God, Currimundi returned to winning form for the first time since completing the Albany Cup (2100m) – Diggers Cup (1800m) double a year ago. The six-year-old, sent out at $11, turned the tables after finishing seventh behind Grant and Alana Williams’ Captain Pluto in the recent Bunbury Cup (2019m).
“He didn’t lose much ground around the turn today (Sunday),” McGruddy said.
“In the Bunbury Cup, from the 600 to the 400, he dropped about four lengths.
“He wanted to lay out, and that cost him the race.
“Today, he still dropped the bridle, but he didn’t completely lose ground.
“I was still in touch with them on straightening.
“This guy isn’t really bred to stay—being by Playing God, he’s a homebred.
“Steve Wolfe did a great job getting him there, coming from a Pins mare.
“But he’s tough and always gives his all.”
For Wolfe, the win marked his second Pinjarra Cup triumph, coming nearly three decades after his first victory in the race with King Brian back in 1999.