Emotional Cup win for Big Mike

There was a catch in the voice of co-trainer Shaun Phelan as he described just what the victory of stable favourite Big Mike means to his family after he led all the way to win the Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Hastings yesterday.

The eight-year-old son of Don Eduardo has been a flag bearer for Phelan and his father Craig’s boutique training operation, having now won 12 of his 45 starts and more than $500,000 in prizemoney.

Included in that tally is a victory in the 2018 Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m), a highlight for the Phelans who also co-own the gelding. However, there has been plenty of heartache for all concerned in trying to get Big Mike back to his best after a somewhat disappointing spring campaign in Melbourne last year.

An eye-catching run for fifth over 1550m at Awapuni last

Friday fitted Big Mike for his Hastings assignment and he didn’t disappoint with a thrilling front-running effort in the hands of apprentice Hazel Schofer.

Phelan cut an emotional figure as he described the win.

“It’s been a long haul getting him right after Melbourne,” he said. “It’s pretty amazing and pretty emotional. He’s part of the family and has taken us to places you couldn’t imagine.

“It’s just so good to see him back doing his best at the age he is now.”

Phelan doesn’t have any specific plans for Big Mike although a start in the Group 3 Rotorua Cup (2200m) is an option provided the tracks don’t get too heavy.

Meanwhile, Matamata visitor Roch ‘N’ Horse put a poor laststart performance behind her when she produced a powerful closing burst to win the Listed

Power Turf Sprint (1200m).

It was the first stakes victory for the Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained four-year-old after she went within a nose of achieving that goal two starts ago when narrowly defeated in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham.

In between, she had finished well back on an unsuitable slow9 surface over 1400m at Awapuni but relished the return to better footing at Hastings (dead5) in the hands of apprentice Ashvin Goindasamy.

Goindasamy had the Per Incanto mare travelling sweetly in midfield throughout before tracking into the race near the home turn. Angled to the middle of the track Roch ‘N’ Horse balanced up nicely before letting down strongly at the 200m as she raced clear for a decisive onelength victory.