Hacksaw Ridge wins gong

Two horses named after movies quinellaed today’s $25,000 Shannon Farm Cromwell Cup at the Wyndham HRC meeting at Cromwell.

At the finish Hacksaw Ridge (A Rocknroll Dance) held on by half a length to beat fast finishing The Big Lebowski, with a brave Tempo Warrior a length and a half back in third.

HACKSAW RIDGE REPLAY

“He stepped away good, so that put him in a good position. And he was probably following the right horse, another A Rocknroll Dance (Tempo Warrior). He just finished the best really,” trainer Ricky Gutsell said.

Hacksaw Ridge ‘s dam Insar which won seven races for Robbie Holmes, has now left foals that have won forty eight races collectively, with a lot of them on grass.

“They don’t grow a leg, they just don’t slow down on a grass track. They’re no champions but they try hard on the grass, so that’s in their favour.”

Gutsell admits he’s not a patient man and Insar’s foals have all been very hard to train.

“You’ve got to work with them not against them and they reward you. He’s been the easiest to handle to be fair. He’s got no dirt but he’s got a few idiosyncrasies. Like one day he won’t give you his tongue to put the tongue tie on. One day he won’t let you put the bridle on. Little things that annoy the crap out of you, but you just have to put up with it.”

Gutsell says Hacksaw Ridge will now start at the Riverton meeting which is also on the grass.

The win was one of four by Oamaru reinsman Matty Williamson. His other winners were Major Boy, Harriet’s Moment and Ultimate Perfection.

Burnham trainer Mark Jones also had a great day, winning three races – Mighty Flying Miki, Seaside Croft and Wanna Play A Game.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink