General News
22 January, 2021
Declares War wins Camperdown Cup
BALLARAT trainer Matt Cumani admits he has ticked off one of his training goals, with his stayer Declares War winning the $45,000 Sungold Milk Camperdown Cup last Saturday.
BALLARAT trainer Matt Cumani admits he has ticked off one of his training goals, with his stayer Declares War winning the $45,000 Sungold Milk Camperdown Cup last Saturday.
The five year-old gelding scored a narrow half length victory over Reserve Street and local fancy Fabian’s Spirit, holding off the minor placegetters in a sprint to the finish.
Cumani, who watched the cup from the Magic Millions sales on the Gold Coast, said the victory was his first Camperdown Cup win, a race he revealed he had always hoped to win.
He said the win was an “amazing result” for his stable and connections, with the ownership group hopeful the victory can revitalize the horse’s fledging career.
“I would have loved to have been there because it’s not often you win a country cup and the Camperdown Cup is one that is high on my list,” Cumani said.
“We had a group of owners come down from Hamilton and they all had a lovely time and I was really delighted with the result for those guys as well as one of my strongest supporters in Domain.
Thoroughbreds with a horse that has done very well.
“We bought him as a $62,000 buy and he’s gone onto win close to $400,000 but he probably hasn’t quite reached the heights we hoped.
“He ran in the Queensland Derby and then levelled out and we were worried we wouldn’t get him back at all but to win the Camperdown Cup second up this campaign was fantastic.”
Classed as a stayer, Declares War changed tact for the 1600 metre event with Cumani instructing victorious jockey Patrick Moloney to ride the son of Declaration of War prominently.
Moloney executed the plan to a tee from the inside barrier, rustling up speed after the pair were slow to begin and establishing an early lead.
The pair dictated the race and got the field chasing around the home turn before they held off fast-finishing pair Reserve Street and Fabian’s Spirit in the last 100 metres to claim victory.
Cumani said he had concerns over the distance pre-race, but was confident Declares War had enough speed and stamina to withstand any late challenges.
“I was little bit worried going into it because he’s a 2000 metre horse, which his form backs up so I was definitely worried about that,” he said.
“But at the same time I was confident that if he got the right ride and a good ride he would be up there and he ended up getting the perfect ride.
“Being a 2000 metre horse you have to try and go out in front and show some genuine tempo and get them chasing before they have the chance to track you down.
“Patty did that perfectly and had them all off the bridle coming round the home turn which made it very difficult for them to catch him.”
Cumani is still yet to work out a definitive schedule for the victor, but has forecast the Colac Gold Cup and Wangaratta Gold Cup on as two possible options.
The winning trainer also paid tribute to the Camperdown Turf Club for presenting the course in good condition for the annual meeting.
“Camperdown has a lovely track there, it’s a bit of a shame we don’t get to race there more often but I was thrilled to win the race. It was a great result,” Cumani said.