Local trainer Maddie Raymond has missed-out on seeing her galloper Rolls take out the Listed Warrnambool Cup.
Raymond and partner Paddy Bell were on the highway travelling to Melbourne airport ahead of departing for Spain for a friend’s wedding when the 2350m race was run on Thursday.
Ridden by local jockey Harry Grace, Rolls ($11) scored a 1-½ length victory from Not Usual Glorious ($5.50) with Sword Drawn ($15) a close-up third.
Rolls was facing a shape rise in trip in the Cup after his second placing over 1700m on the opening day of the Carnival on Tuesday.
Raymond, who scored earlier in the day with Home Rule, was represented by Brady McArdle in the second of the trainer’s victories.
“Maddie was pretty confident with the trip,” McArdle said.
“After the run on Tuesday, I think she was quite keen to get him out to the Cup and the proof was in the pudding.
“She’s a very good trainer on the up and she’s got some nice wins with some nice horses and I’m sure there’ll be more to come in the future.”
The win on Rolls was Grace’s first at Stakes level and his 143rd career winner.
Grace said it was an unreal experience to claim the Warrnambool Cup.
“I woke up this morning and I was sitting there thinking I’d love the Warrnambool Cup to stay in Warrnambool this year,” Grace said.
“I’ve got complete and utter confidence in Maddie and Paddy.
“They’re a fantastic team and they present these horses in the best order they can and when they told me they were looking at the back up here today, I was overjoyed.
“Last start Johnny (Allen) beat me in the Terang Cup on another horse and I thought I was going to catch him, and when I saw him (on Not Usual Glorious) in front at the 600 (metre mark) I thought I wasn’t going to let him do it again.”