Rough result doesn’t help Cup hopefuls

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

The smell of charred flesh hung heavily in the air on Wednesday after Red Alto (High Chaparral {IRE}) posted a boilover win in the G3 Jayco Bendigo Cup.

Punters’ fingers were severely burned when the despised longshot rolled a handful of G1 Melbourne Cup contenders to win at 70-1.

Red Alto had finished fifth in the Benalla Cup two runs back before he filled a similar placing in the Hamilton Cup, but trainer and former G1 Caulfield Cup winning jockey Brent Stanley was quick to defend his charge.

“He’s run fourth in the VRC Derby and sixth in a Queensland Derby so he’s been around these horses.” – Brent Stanley.

“He’s run fourth in the VRC Derby and sixth in a Queensland Derby so he’s been around these horses,” he said.

“He does need everything to go right, and it did, and he’s at the end of a long preparation so it’s a big thrill and he did beat all those horses of Wallers at Randwick.”

He was referring to Red Alto’s Sydney success during the winter when he accounted for an eight-horse field with the all the opposition supplied by the champion trainer.

Valid excuse

Stanley also added that his 6-year-old did have a genuine excuse for his previous fifth of nine in a much less competitive Hamilton Cup line-up.

“The owners were a bit concerned, but he got his tongue over the bit so we put a tongue tie on and he could breathe,” he said.

Red Alto was given an economical run behind the pace by rider Michael Walker and as the field fanned out in the straight they pounced.

“I got a beautiful run and we got the split and it was a tough win,” he said. “He was travelling really well on the corner.

“Brent and his team have done a tremendous job and they train up the road so look out Bendigo.”- Michael Walker.

Jockey Michael Walker and connections pictured with the Bendigo Cup

“Brent and his team have done a tremendous job and they train up the road so look out Bendigo.”

Red Alto’s upset victory did nothing for the next three home – Del Harraild (GB) (Champs Elsees {GB}), Sir Charles Road (Myboycharlie {IRE}) and Lord Fandango (GER) (Lord Of England {GER}) – who needed to win to press their claims for the Melbourne Cup ticket.

Of that trio, the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Sir Charles Road is on the cusp, but he could potentially be threatened by the winner of Saturday’s G3 Lexus S., who will earn free entry if entered.