Cheronbutch Win Simply Amazing

Wednesday, 09 June 2010 05:23

The racing gods will curse the 'one that got away' today as Cheronbutch refused to add his name to the long list of 'good things beaten'.

Cheronbutch ($2.10,$2.35,$2.15) made it two Betfair Park wins in succession saluting in the $30,000 Betfair Handicap (1400m) in the most unlikely circumstances.

The Peter Healy trained four-year-old was in an airtight pocket turning for home but managed to find just enough galloping room over the concluding stages to snatch a length victory over Kudeta ($7,$9,$8) with Canary Islands ($15,$16) a further half length away third.

Cheronbutch was unable to build any momentum for the best part of the home straight and Healy was clearly mystified that he found himself in the winning circle.

"He shouldn't have won that, he just shouldn't have won," said Healy.

"Chris (Symons) is always trying for you and you can't ask for anymore than that."

Healy was impressed by the gelding's turn of foot when the run came highlighting that the son of Testa Rossa lengthens more than he accelerates.

"The horse has got a good turn of foot, it's exciting," Healy said.

"His riders tell me that he doesn't actually accelerate as much as he just lengthens his stride," he added.

Symons returned to scale with a smile from ear to ear and was quick to set the record straight.

"I was just being patient," he joked.

On a more serious note Symon's praised the gelding's improvement and described his winning streak as 'sensational'.

"He just keeps stepping up to the mark this horse," said Symons

"The way he is winning is pretty sensational."

If Healy decides to run Cheronbutch at Flemington in a fortnight's time it is highly unlikely that Symons will be available to take the ride with the regular hoop expected to undergo surgery in the near future.

Photos by Sportpix