TABLEAUX has had a solid run of form of late – but until Saturday’s Holbrook Cup, he hadn’t quite been able to break through.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“Always a bridesmaid of late,” trainer Russell Green said.
“I didn’t think he was going to get there, but he did it in fine style.”
The eight-year-old gelding finally broke through for a Cup win after running second at both the Tocumwal Easter Cup and Towing Cup in recent weeks, able to push past Pieceofeight ($4.60) and favourite Didn’t Even Kiss Me ($3.50) by a head.
The 11th win in 78 starts for Tableaux, Green said he was one of the most reliable horses in his stable.
“It was a good field, he ran second to Pieceofeight at Tocumwal a few weeks ago so we knew if he was given too much of a start he’d take some running down.
“I’ve had Tableaux for quite some time and he hasn’t missed out on a cheque in over 20 starts.
“If you can have a horse like that, it makes life a lot easier.
“We had a place in race three (Keepcalmandcarryon) as well, so it was a really good day overall.”
The $7 winner found itself towards the rear of the field early in the race, but came home strong to win the $11,000, 1400m race.
Green said jockey Tiffany Jeffries had a terrific ride, adding that had she ridden to instructions he doubted they’d have taken home the Cup.
“We won the Nyngan Cup with Tableaux and Tiffany as the jockey, she’s won quite a few Cups for me,” he said.
“She did everything right, had she rode to our instructions we mightn’t have won.
“It really means a lot as a trainer to be able to work with a jockey who you can be straight with.
“She drove down from Parkes to ride for me, she’s a confident rider from a racing family up there.
“He got back in the field but came home really hard, the class of horse in that race was as good as you’ll find around the north east.”
Tableaux will now enjoy a couple of weeks of rest.
It wasn’t just a good day for Russell though, with Jerilderie trainer Phil Sweeney picking up two wins, with $2 favourite Casino Empress in race two and $8 chance Beaujeen in race three.
The Chris Heywood-trained Gabi took out race one, the Rotor Solutions Australia Maiden Plate (800m) in front of Alsaywhat ($11) and favourite Persue.
Kym Davison enjoyed success in race four with Rockintheriver.
The $4 shot took out the 1400m maiden plate by just under a length from The Big Sheila ($3.80) and De Vonic ($8).
Wodonga trainer Andrew Dale took out the final race of the day, the Holbrook Engineering Benchmark 45 Handicap (1400m) with $8 fancy Biding Time.
