The winning list at Healesville last Saturday included just two jockeys — reigning champion Shaun Cooper doubled up (a standard day at the office), but it was Ben Moffat who stole the show with his second four-timer for the season, his quartet headed by the Golden Thong.
Moffat dominated Buchan Cup day on February 14, partnering with leading trainer Troy Kilgower to win four of the six races, including the Buchan Cup with Eight Shout’s.
And he was at it again last Saturday, although this time sharing the joy with another two trainers.
Moffat and Kilgower partnered up to win race four with Flowery Gallery and race six with Epicus. Flower Gallery, unlike many in the stable, has raced exclusively for Kilgower, placing a few times on the TAB circuit early in her career before being switched to the picnics this season for three wins and three seconds from eight starts.
Epicus has been through a few different yards with mixed success. The Capitalist gelding was with Team Hawkes, but didn’t race, before joining Chris Waller as part of the Orbis Bloodstock move.
The gelding placed in one of four before moving to Kristen Buchanan, for whom he won three of his first five runs.
Epicus managed a couple of placings for Paul and Tracey Templeton after again changing hands then broke through for his first win in more than 32 months at his third start for Kilgower.
The day’s feature, the coveted Golden Thong (2350m), was taken out by the Michael Harrison-trained Rule of Salex. The US Navy Flag gelding was a winner at Woolamai in the spring and was in good form, coming off placings there and at Balnarring.
Moffat earlier won a maiden on Waylona Girl for Mick Huglin.
Back on the horse
Shaun Cooper hadn’t ridden for a month due to suspension and a break, but didn’t miss a beat on his return, riding a double to go to 35 wins for the season from 100 rides.
It was the 13th time this season Cooper has ridden multiple winners at a meeting.
He rode Librarchy’s Dancer to a maiden win for Paul Kramer and ex-NSW galloper Seeking Prophet to his first win for new trainer Peter Krikas.