In the feature event at Saturday’s Woodend Cup held at the Kyneton racecourse, the locally trained mare Luvya Mumma was sent out as an odds-on favourite and looked a likely winner in the home straight, before missing out in an extremely close photo-finish.
The winner was five-year-old gelding Sea Strike, from the expanding Ben Brisbourne stable at Wangaratta.
Just five days earlier, Sea Strike had been an unlucky fifth at Wagga, and connections decided it was worth tackling the $40,000 2026 Woodend Cup.
Starting as an $8.50 chance, Sea Strike was ridden by Lochie King who has been in good form in recent months.
Luvya Mumma, in the strong Liam Howley stable at Kyneton, had been runner-up at Kyneton and Cranbourne at his last two runs.
Apprentice Olivia East claimed 3kgs and Luvya Mumma carried just 51kg, with form students feeling the light weight would be to his advantage over the 1850m.
Both Sea Strike and Luvya Mumma were back in the field for much of the race, and made their moves coming to the home turn.
They gradually caught the leaders, and fought out a finish racing side by side, and even the course broadcaster could not pick which horse had won.
For a lot of locals who wanted to see a local winner, it was not to be as the photo went in favour of Sea Strike.
Brisbourne grew up in England, where his father was a racehorse trainer, and came to Australia about 10 years ago.
His move to Wangaratta has proved successful, and the stable has expanded considerably in recent years.
He often brings a horse to race at Kyneton, and recently trained his first city winner.
The Woodend Cup originated at Woodend, with the last Cup being run there in 1982.
Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club continues to see the name is perpetuated each season.
$100,000 BONUS
Earlier in the day, Linda Meech rode Our Pierro ($4.20) to a last stride win, which meant a $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus would go to the horse’s owner.
Our Pierro was having his third start, and is trained at Ballarat by Mitchell Freeman.
Meech has had a good strike rate at Kyneton over the years, and finished the day with a double.
FIRST WIN AS TRAINER
There was plenty of excitement when Melissa Julius rode outsider One More Star to victory in the third race.
The 34-year-old from Warrnambool has had 2250 rides for 219 winners, and very recently took out a trainer’s licence as well.
One More Star gave her a winner as a jockey-trainer at just her fourth start in this capacity.
