In-form galloper Pittsburgh Pirate ($4.40) completed a hattrick of wins on the weekend, leading throughout in a dominant display to claim the Ararat Cup. The five-year-old son of Pierro backed up his heroics from the St Arnaud Cup a fortnight earlier, jockey Neil Farley leading his rivals a merry dance as he registered cheap sectionals throughout the 2200-metre feature. Farley could barely believe his luck as he carted the field to the 600-metre mark, nothing willing to take him on as he controlled the race like the starter in a mobile-barrier pacing event. When the Irishman finally increased the tempo rounding the home bend, nothing stood a chance of running him down, Pittsburgh Pirate too fit and too slick for his rivals who were battling out the minors a long way from home.
“Great win from him today. We really took control of things from the front”, Farley said post-race.
“He’s in great form. Keep striking while the iron’s hot”.
The iron is certainly in striking order, and Henry was happy to take home another Country Cup with his gelding.
“Everything worked out to plan today.
“It was a very easy win today, and a lovely ride by Neil”.
Pittsburgh Pirate has a number of options looking ahead, one being next Saturday’s Penshurst Cup, though back to 2000-metres presents a challenge.
Sunday’s victory was the Pirate’s sixth from twenty-one starts – and fifth with Farley aboard – as his career prizemoney nears $150,000.