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It was a case of third time lucky for consistent pacer Fouroeight and his trainer-driver Mat Rue when they combined to take out the prestigious Group 2 Shirley Turnbull Memorial at Bathurst last weekend.
After first contesting the feature race in 2018, when he finished fifth, Fouroeight improved his standing in 2020 by running third.
But on Sunday night in wet conditions there was no stopping Rue and his charge as they stole the show in front of an excited hometown crowd.
Rue wanted no part of the action up front and buried Fouroeight well back on the pegs, content to bide his time there for majority of the staying trip.
With 300 metres to travel, gaps began to appear and Fouroeight emerged out of the pack with Rue moving the gelding to the centre of the track where he produced a powerful turn of foot, charging past his more-fancied rivals to race clear and score by a widening 19-metre margin.
This gave Rue time to savour the moment as he saluted to the crowd, many of whom were his close friends.
The win was even more momentous as it completed a winning treble for Rue, who had won earlier in the night aboard Dodees Daughter and Lylac Beach, which won the Olive and Ray McCarthy Memorial.
“Growing up in the area, you would dream about winning these big races,” said an excited Rue shortly after the race.
“Both the Turnbull and McCarthy families have been big supporters of mine and I have learned a lot from them during my time in the sport.
“And this horse, Fouroeight – well, he means so much to me.
“He has played such a big part in my career as a trainer and driver.
“He has had his fair share of issues over the years, but he just keeps bouncing back every time.
“From 98 starts he has won almost $300,000 in stakes and this race is on a par with his biggest wins to date.”
Rue has five drives at Bathurst on Wednesday night and his best chance of winning appears to be Williewa Thunder (Race 6), which is trained by his uncle Greg. To view the fields click here.
