Taniwha’s very special win in the Gold Cup

Trainer Jim Curran honoured a promise he made to his late father-in-law, Kelly Thompson, when Taniwha won the Invercargill Gold Cup at Ascot Park on Saturday.

Thompson was a successful Southland trainer for nearly 50 years before he died in September. Taniwha is raced by his estate and Anne McFarlane, who took over the share her late husband, Don, had in the stayer after he died last February.

ROBYN EDIE/STUFF 635431858 Connections of Invercargill Gold Cup winner Taniwha, from left, trainer Jim Curran, his wife Gay Curran, her mother and owner Isla Thompson, jockey Jillian Morris and owner Anne McFarlane.