Bill West
A big jump in class made no difference as lightly raced Station One set a strong pace to lead all the way in the $125,000 Kyneton Cup last Wednesday.
“The Cup might have been moved to Bendigo but it was great to win our first Kyneton Cup with Station One,” local trainer Liam Howley said.
“He was is one of the first horses we bought under the Liam Howley Racing banner, and has now earned more than $200,000.
“There’s no fun like winning Cups.”
Howley becomes the second Kyneton trainer to win his home town Cup, the previous one being Neil Dyer with the popular Mrs Bently in 2002.
Station One led all the way to win a 0-64 event at the Ballarat Synthetic, and Howley was not worried about tackling much stronger company with the very promising galloper.
“It’s really exciting, great for my team and a great bunch of owners,” the trainer said.
Only to see Station One knuckle right down and go to the line strongly, with topweight Dark Dream finishing well to take second place a length behind the winner.
Newitt predicted a bright future for Station One, having beaten much more seasoned gallopers.
Hit hard by flooding and follow-up rains, efforts to have the Kyneton course fit for racing were to no avail, and the decision to transfer to Bendigo was announced by Racing Victoria on the Sunday before Melbourne Cup week.
The nine-event program was conducted by Bendigo Jockey Club on a track rated as a heavy 9.
Station One has shown he can handle all track conditions, and jockey Craig Newitt made it two Kyneton Cups in succession, winning in a photo aboard Indiana Lilly 2021.
While only six runners lined up for the Kyneton Cup over 2100 metres, Station One was an $8 chance with four runners well fancied in the market before him.
The Chris Waller trained Rousseau started as a $3.10 favourite and loomed up in the straight, only to see Station One find plenty and hold on strongly, with topweight Dark Dream finishing well to take second place a length behind the winner.
Newitt predicted a bright future for Station One, having beaten more seasoned and much higher rated gallopers.
Howley’s modern training complex at Pipers Creek gives him easy access to the Kyneton race track, and his team of gallopers is headed by super star Virtuous Circle, who is in the paddock awaiting a preparation for the big autumn races.
The stable will welcome inquiries from potential owners.
OSBORNE BOWS OUT
Kyneton trainer George Osborne took a large team of horses to Bendigo for his final day as a trainer before retiring, and was commended by many in the industry on his outstanding record dating back 30 years.
It was appropriate that Linda Meech, who has ridden many winners for Osborne over the years, rode his final starter Kyteler into third place.
Meech spoke highly of Osborne’s contribution to racing, and the opportunities he has given young riders on the way up.
