Risky Venture Wins Thrilling Cup Hurdle

Monday, 07 October 2002 00:00

Leading jumping trainer Eric Musgrove fresh off winning his 400th jumping race late last week has continued his great recent form by winning this afternoon's $71,000 Cup Hurdle (3250m) at Flemington.

Risky Venture, a former moderately performed Adelaide flat race performer, held off the challenges from two of his rivals to win in a thrilling three way finish.

The six-year-old son of Umatilla was "recruited" to Musgrove's jumping stable after he felt he'd make into a more than capable jump race performer.

"We got him from Leon Macdonald in Adelaide," Musgrove said. "He felt he had got him as har as he could go on the flat and he looked as though he might develop into a nice jumper."

Musgrove said the gelding would be sent for an immediate spell after today's triumph.

"He'll go out now and we will come back next year and look at some fences for him," he added.

In a driving finish underrated jumps jockey Brian Constable got plenty out of Risky Venture ($7-$9) to get home by a long head over the veteran jumper Zabuan ($4.20-$4.80), while Real Tonic ($5), which looked the winner halfway down the straight, was a further half head away in third place.

Musgrove won his 400th jumping event at Yarra Glen last Thursday, and immediately added another to that tally when Super Cobra won in Adelaide on Saturday.