Graham Fischer

THE Gawler & Barossa Jockey Club’s (G&BJC) celebration of 100 years of racing in Gawler produced a sensational three-horse finish which was close to a triple-dead-heat.
A discovery by G&BJC chief executive Shane Collins of a race book and trophy from a meeting on Saturday, August 7, 1920 – the Zed Cup – prompted a themed meeting last Wednesday celebrating that race 100 years on.
The feature race was the ‘2020 Zed Cup – 100 Years On’ Benchmark 62 Handicap over 2121m and it resulted in a fantastic finish.
Drop The Orange ($19), trained at Oakbank by Barry Brook, and ridden by Ryan Hurdle, arrived late to grab a nose win from stablemate Buckeye Nation ($101) which dead-heated for second with Ammo Loco ($4.40).
King And King also crowned himself a victor at Gawler and now connections can dare to dream of sitting on a Group One throne.
Angaston trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy are not looking that far ahead, but believe King And King is a promising three-year-old.
Heavily backed from $2.50 into $1.70 favourite, the colt, ridden by Barend Vorster, scored a half-length win in the Mr. Vincent A Zed Maiden over 1716m, beating Melody Man ($2.90) with Armament ($13) over three lengths away in third.
Vorster had King And King away well from gate one and raced third on the fence during the early and middle stages, before coming out to challenge turning for home.
King And King quickly gained the ascendancy, then withstood a late challenge to win comfortably. Calvin McEvoy said the colt was “a really nice staying colt.”
The group of owners, headed by Singapore businessman Boon Chua, look certain to have a lot of enjoyment with King And King.
“It was a beautiful ride by Barend today, but the colt’s immaturity showed when he looked lost after hitting the lead early in the home straight,” Calvin said.
“His two runs since coming across to our Angaston stables have been very good.
“He was unlucky at Murray Bridge, getting held up at a vital stage, then today ran strongly through the line to win well.
“We’ll see how he comes through the race before setting a program but there is no doubt he will measure up in stronger races.”
Winning jockey Barend Vorster also believes King And King is a promising type.
“In the first part of his last run I had him in beautiful position, but then they yanked up the pace and I got shuffled back to second last,” Vorster said.
“Today was the perfect placing and he really enjoyed that tempo… but I believe this fellow is still a bit immature, so you have got to ask him to do it.
“Once I clicked him up, got him onto the bridle, and moved him off the back of the leader – he knew what it was all about.”