Talented stayer The Offer has produced an incredible final straight sprint to continue his strong run of form this season and win the major Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
The Offer has produced an incredible turn of foot to win the 2014 Sydney Cup. Photo: Steve Hart
Jumping only fairly, The Offer settled well within the pack, allowing early leaders Angola, stable mate Hippopus and Gondokoro to set a relatively slow pace ing the post for the first time.
Continuing in a similar running order until rounding the final bend, the talented Montjeu gelding broke from the pack with ease, sprinting well to finish nearly four lengths in the clear of Opinion and Sertorius.
Trainer Gai Waterhouse, who claimed her second Group 1 victory for the day after saddling Diamond Drille to victory in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes, was ecstatic with The Offer’s performance in the 2014 Sydney Cup and confirmed the Melbourne Cup as the long term goal for the in-form five-year-old this year.
“What a stayer, he just donkey licked them” an exciting Waterhouse said following the Sydney Cup.
“I just loved the way on a muddling run race where he just couldn’t quite get into the rhythm and then he picked up, picked up, picked up.
“Look out Melbourne Cup, here we come.”
Jockey Tommy Berry, who also secured a second Group 1 title for the day in the Sydney Cup, dedicated his day’s performances to twin brother Nathan, who tragically ed away only two weeks ago.
“Every race I win for the rest of my life is going to be for Nathan; he’s my best mate and my best and I’ll never be able to replace him” an emotional Berry said following the Sydney Cup.
“I’m just fortunate that I’m in the same career and I can do something Nathan ionately loved.
“I sat beside Nathan in his bed for two weeks and he fought harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. Doing this is easy; this is nothing compared to what Nathan went through.
“I’m glad I’ve got my mum and my dad here, it’s so good; dad hasn’t come to the race since I started, so he’s come out on the right day.”
The Offer will now return to the spelling paddock ahead of a Spring Racing Carnival geared towards the Race that Stops a Nation.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best odds on all remaining races on today’s impressive Randwick race card!
Punters who signed up for the Ladbrokes Card and placed a winning bet on The Offer can already take advantage of their winnings!
2014 Sydney Cup Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | THE OFFER (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse | Tommy Berry | – | 8 | 55kg | $3.30F |
| 2 | 10 | OPINION (IRE) | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 3.8L | 14 | 54kg | $26 |
| 3 | 2 | SERTORIUS | Jamie Edwards & Bruce Elkington | Ryan Maloney | 5.3L | 3 | 56kg | $8.50 |
| 4 | 5 | BRIGANTIN (USA) | Chris Waller | Craig Newitt | 5.6L | 6 | 54.5kg | $9 |
| 5 | 6 | EPINGLE (NZ) | Michael Kent | Craig Williams | 6.6L | 12 | 54kg | $20 |
| 6 | 7 | TUPAC AMARU | Peter Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 8.2L | 9 | 54kg | $9 |
| 7 | 9 | LET’S MAKE ADEAL | Nigel Blackiston | Zac Purton | 8.5L | 7 | 54kg | $26 |
| 8 | 13 | DESERT JEUNEY | Nigel Blackiston | Brenton Avdulla | 9L | 1 | 54kg | $51 |
| 9 | 3 | WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) | Mark Oulaghan | James McDonald | 12.5L | 11 | 56kg | $5.50 |
| 10 | 15 | ANGOLA | Pat Carey | Jay Ford | 13.2L | 2 | 54kg | $101 |
| 11 | 12 | TREMEC (NZ) | John P Thompson | Christian Reith | 13.5L | 17 | 54kg | $26 |
| 12 | 1 | VOLEUSE DE COEURS (IRE) | Michael Moroney | Glen Boss | 14.5L | 16 | 58kg | $9 |
| 13 | 16 | LIKE A CAROUSEL | Ken Keys | Hugh Bowman | 22.3L | 15 | 54kg | $151 |
| 14 | 17 | FIFTH COLUMN | Gerard Betros | Ms Kathy O’Hara | 25.9L | 5 | 54kg | $201 |
| 15 | 11 | HIPPOPUS (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse | Jim Cassidy | 28L | 4 | 54kg | $17 |
| 16 | 8 | GONDOKORO (NZ) | Pat Carey | Rhys McLeod | 28.4L | 10 | 54kg | $101 |
| 17 | 14 | MACEDONIAN (NZ) | Peter G Moody | Chad Schofield | 34.3L | 13 | 54kg | $61 |
