Long-time Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer won his third Hanging Rock Cup on Australia Day (Monday).
Highly promising four-year-old His Finest Hour, ridden by Irish jockey Cian MacRedmond, came with a withering burst to win the 1800m feature event in course record time.
Both Dyer and MacRedmond are confident His Finest Hour will be well suited to stronger middle distance events in the future.
A very large group of owners, some of them locals, were elated to win a $40,000 Cup race at the Hanging Rock track.
His Finest Hour vied for favouritism with Warrnambool galloper Feargal, who set a hot pace and tried to lead all the way over 1800m.
In the straight Feargal was strongly challenged by outsider The Mighty Spar, but His Finest Hour gathered them up to win by just over two lengths.
The course record of 1:50.46 was almost half a second quicker than the time recorded by Now And Zen back in 2017.
WOODEND CUP SATURDAY
Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club is now busily preparing for the Macedon Ranges Ag Machinery Woodend Cup Day to be run this Saturday, January 31, on the Kyneton track.
His Finest Hour is already turning out to be a real ‘bargain buy story’ for Dyer and connections.
Originally in the stable of top trainer Mick Price, the horse had five starts and was then put up for sale on-line. It was his tenth career start on Monday.
His Finest Hour won a maiden at Wangaratta on December 22, then was placed twice in city company before tackling the Hanging Rock Cup.
Prize money earned is now $99,100, with confidence there is plenty more to come.
Dyer had previously won two Hanging Rock Cups, his last success being with his top galloper Mrs Bently back in 2002. Tonvenor was his first Cup winner at ‘The Rock’.
Since 1990 Dyer has chalked up over 500 winners, across several states.
President of Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club, Gay O’Meara, made the Cup presentations.
He thanked bet365 for continuing to support the Cup, and other sponsors for the day’s racing.
O’Meara congratulated Dyer, the winning jockey, and His Finest Hour’s owners on their success.
DOUBLE TO KELLY
Alana Kelly took riding honours with a double on the seven-event program.
The very accomplished Kelly took out the Carlton Draught Maiden on Himeno, and the Jack Styring OAM Handicap on Hi Tiago.
The abundance of shade at ‘The Rock’ was welcomed by many in attendance, and there was a real holiday atmosphere.
Cup winner ‘city class’
Irish jockey Cian MacRedmond described His Finest Hour as “definitely city class” after winning the 2026 Hanging Rock Cup.
From County Kildare, the 24-year-old MacRedmond came to pursue his riding career in Victoria about 18 months ago.
He has settled in well at Ballarat, where there are some other trainers and jockeys with an Irish background.
MacRedmond rode a winner at his first race ride when he was a 16-year-old schoolboy. It was at the famous Curragh track.
He said he was pleased to be able to ride for Neil Dyer.
Tall for a jockey, MacRedmond usually rides at 55kg and above.
