NSW country: Former rogue now Gee's whiz
By Tim Egan, February 17, 2020 - 3:16 PM

Goulburn trainer Mark Gee notched his first metropolitan winner when Cap’s Boy, ridden by Jay Ford, took out last Saturday’s edition of the TAB Highway series, an 1800-metre Class 3 at Randwick. 
Ford quickly had the three-year-old settled in third spot and enjoyed a cosy run until entering the straight. 
Approaching the 200-metre mark, Ford asked the $5 favourite for his effort and Cap’s Boy responded quickly, hitting the front 150 metres out and holding off Rostam, who finished the race off strongly, to score by a long head, with Senatorial a long neck away in third. 
After the win, Gee revealed that the path to Saturday’s success with Cap’s Boy had not been an easy one. 
“He’s one of the toughest I’ve ever broken in and I’ve broken in thousands. I nearly gave up on him. 
“He could kick you from anywhere and he made me look like a very inexperienced horseman but he doesn’t deserve that reputation anymore. 
“He’s a progressive three-year-old and I probably had a bad habit of turning a few of them out that were good enough to win (Highway) races then they come back and win a few but become ineligible for these races. 
“He’s going to be a really nice stayer as a four- and five-year-old.” 
Gee celebrated another win later in the day, when Sisters Esteem ($4.40), ridden by Brendan Ward, won the 900-metre maiden at the Sapphire Coast meeting.
Reward too tough 
Newcastle galloper Special Reward, trained by Kris Lees, showed plenty of determination in winning the Group 3 Southern Cross (1200m) at Randwick. 
Jockey Brenton Avdulla quickly had the four-year-old settled just off the leaders, Jungle Edge and Ashlor, where he enjoyed a comfortable run. 
Near the 300 metres, Jade Darose tried to pinch a break on Jungle Edge but Avdulla quickly gave chase. Special Reward was able to reel in Jungle Edge and then hold off the challenge of Cascadian, whose tardy start hadn’t enhanced his chances, with Jungle Edge holding on for third.
Joy for Jeans with Julian 
There was a Gallic flavour to last Sunday’s Country Championship Qualifier at Moruya, with French import Julian Rock taking the 1400-metre event for Goulburn trainer Jean Dubois and apprentice Jean Van Overmeire.
The $4 favourite beat Al Mah Haha by a length and a half with Irish Songs third. 
“He loves the soft track. His form in France on soft was good,” Dubois said. 
Van Overmeire, who was out of action from mid December to late January with injuries incurred in a fall, thanked Dubois for sticking with him in Sunday’s non-claiming affair.
“I have to say a massive thank you to Jean for being so loyal — he’s a great supporter
“Julian Rock really let rip and found a couple of lengths very quickly,” he added. 
The win brought up a double for Van Overmeire, who had won earlier on Donnachiari for Anthony Cummings.
Both Julian Rock and Al Mah Haha have now qualified for the Country Championships Final at Randwick on April 4. 
Dubois’s fellow Goulburn trainer Tash Burleigh was delighted with the run of Al Mah Haha, pointing out that the horse had been caught wide and then pushed even wider on the turn. 
Hands up 
At Dubbo the same day, $2.30 favourite Healing Hands, trained at Mudgee by Gayna Williams and ridden by Greg Ryan, took out the 1310-metre Country Championship Preview and is now certain to start in the Central Districts Championship Qualifier on March 1 at his home track. 
Healing Hands, a lightly raced five-year-old  scored by a half-length from Asudem to take his record to six starts for four wins and a second. 
Hokkaido runs hot
Parkes trainer Sharon Jeffries made the short trip to the Bedgerabong picnics worthwhile last Saturday, coming home with a double including a runaway victory to Hokkaido ($3.80) in the Bedgerabong Cup (1400m).
Hokkaido raced away under Brent Evans to score by 4½ lengths over odds-on favourite Mango Liston. Evans rode both Jeffries’s winners.
The day’s other feature, the 800-metre Bracelet, went to $2.20 favourite Rogue Runner, trained by Rodney Robb and ridden by Maddison Wright. The Robb/Wright team also finished the meeting with a double. 
At Balranald on the same day, the 1400-metre Balranald Cup was won in comfortable fashion by the Erin Maher-trained nine-year-old Bendigo galloper Mr Gustavo ($3.70), ridden by apprentice Madison Lloyd. 
The Tumut Cup (1400m), also run last Saturday, went to the Todd Smart-trained Great Glen ($7), ridden by Michael Heagney. 
The win on the formerly Chris Waller-trained import gave Heagney a winning double as he had won the previous race, the 1400-metre Class 2, aboard Tickinover for Michelle Russell. 
Coming attractions
The Quirindi Jockey Club holds its biggest meeting of the year today (Friday), highlighted by the Akubra Quirindi Cup (1400m) and the Quirindi RSL Lightning (1000m). 
Saturday at Albury sees the Albury Race Club stage the $150,000 Southern Districts Country Championships Qualifier (1400m). 
On Sunday, the Manning Valley Race Club hosts the $150,000 Mid North Coast qualifier over the same trip at Taree. 
The meeting has attracted quality fields, with $370,000 in prizemoney on offer for the Showcase meeting. Winning Post’s form guide starts on page 35.
Passionate and popular 
The racing industry is mourning the passing of Pam Cornish, who died last week after a long battle with cancer. 
Pam was the wife of John Cornish, inaugural chairman of the Australian Turf Club and proprietor of the well known Torryburn Stud in the Hunter Valley. 
“The Cornish family is not only part of the Australian Turf Club family, but also a highly respected and popular member of the entire racing industry,” said current ATC chairman Matthew McGrath. 
“We send our condolences to John and the family and especially thank Pam for the great passion and contribution she has given to our club and racing.” 
At Randwick last Saturday, jockeys in the fourth race carried black armbands in honour of Pam Cornish. 
In another loss to racing, Grafton trainer Alan Ryan died suddenly last week. 
Ryan had trained at Grafton for the past 20 years. A highlight was his win in the inaugural Northern Rivers Racing Association Country Championships qualifier (2015) with Redwolf, ridden by Ryan’s then apprentice and now leading Northern Rivers jockey Matthew McGuren.

 

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