A decision to stretch Wild Planet beyond 1600m for the first time in his career has reaped a big reward, with the veteran defying a distance query to win the $750,000 Rosehill Gold Cup.
Notching his first victory for more than three years, eight-year-old Wild Planet ($26) handled the rise to 2000m to defeat Stroke Of Luck ($4.80) by a neck with Shock ‘Em Ova ($7) another nose away third.
The favourite Canberra Legend, trained in the UK by James Ferguson, was forced to do some early work to settle outside the lead, and after briefly hitting the front at the top of the straight he faded to finish midfield.
Wild Planet’s co-trainer Michael Hawkes said after a luckless last-start run in the Filante Handicap (1600m) when Wild Planet struck interference at the top of the home straight, a decision was made to test him over more ground in Saturday’s event.
“I said pre-race, these older horses you’ve got to stretch them out when you can,” Hawkes said.
“And today I actually really did think he could win. He had a lightweight chance.
“It was only the 2000-metres that we didn’t know about but he actually won very well.”
Wild Planet settled worse than midfield before jockey Tyler Schiller made a move around the field coming to the home turn.
Shortly after straightening, Wild Planet sprinted to the front and he held his rivals at bay in the run to the line.
“He probably got a little further back than what I would have liked but Tyler got on the back of the horse going forward and it flushed him out four-deep but he didn’t panic,” Hawkes said.
“He just cuddled and cuddled him and he got the bikkies.
“It’s a fantastic job from everyone to get this horse to 2000-metres. It’s another string to his bow.”
Wild Planet has now won seven of his 40 starts, with the Rosehill Gold Cup his first success since taking out the Moonga Stakes in the spring of 2020.
“He’s just been a great old soldier for the stable,” Hawkes said.
Jockey Kerrin Mcevoy believes Canberra Legend will be better suited over a bit more ground.
“He had to do a little bit of work through the first stages to get a spot,” McEvoy said.
“He will make his presence felt and will enjoy going 2400-metres and maybe even further.”