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From cheating death as a two-year-old, Sonofdec caused an upset in the $500,000 Four Pillars Midway (1500m) to give Newcastle trainer Jay Hopkins his richest win on Saturday at Randwick.
The five-year-old son of Kermadec, a $20 chance, raced on the fence from a start in gate one, then cut the corner at the home turn and hit the lead at the 300m mark under jockey Jean Van Overmeire.
Sonodec scores an upset win at Randwick on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
Carrying 61 kilograms, he pinched a handy lead before favourite Meridiana ($3.60) threatened late, cutting the margin to half a length on the line.
The $287,000 payday was a sixth win in 22 starts for Sonofdec, which almost died as a young horse after a paddock accident.
“He should have died,” said Hopkins, who has just six horses in work.
“He reared up over a fence and got it wrapped around his leg. I’ve got the photos of them stitching him up in the carport.
“One of the vets was watching him walk down there before, and I thought, ‘no, what’s wrong?’ And they said, ‘no, we are just looking at the scar’.”
Sonofdec spent six months recovering and has now won $463,275.
While his biggest cheque as a trainer, Hopkins said the Cameron Handicap victory of Got Unders on his home track in 2017 still held a special place.
“It was the old horse with the Cameron, so ...” he said.
“But it’s great to win this for the money obviously.”
He said Sonofdec would probably race again at home on Hunter day, on November 15, in a benchmark 78 handicap.
McLucas back in town after ban
Jockey Amy McLucas was emotional after her “little heart horse” Pokerjack gave her a first city winner, and second overall, since serving a six-month suspension.
Tash Burleigh-trained Pokerjack, a $23 outsider, led the benchmark 78 handicap over 1100m before kicking clear for a 2½-length win over Brave One.
Jubilant jockey Amy McLucas.Credit: Getty Images
McLucas returned from suspension in September and had her first winner back on Thursday, at the Sapphire Coast.
“It’s a really big thrill,” McLucas said.
“He’s been my little heart horse. I’ve had a lot to do with him. I’ve had a lot of wins on him. He means a lot to me, so thankful to get back on him today and everything just went terrific.
“It’s just good to get out and get the winners rolling again, especially on such a big day.”
McLucas was banned for a non-riding indiscretion.
“I’ve definitely learned,” she said.
“It was a hard lesson to learn. But I’ve never had a break my whole apprenticeship, so I probably needed it.”
Stakes future for Rotagilla
Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller was eyeing stakes races over further for Rotagilla after he delivered a sharp consolation win on Golden Eagle day at Randwick.
A $3.70 equal favourite, the All Too Hard gelding relished the soft 7 going second-up under Tim Clark to come from just off the pace and storm to a2¼-length win in the 1500m benchmark 78 handicap over Strawberry Impact.
It was a fourth win in 11 starts for the four-year-old, which Waller said was being set for a shot at the Golden Eagle before a temperature early in his preparation changed plans.
He said Rotagilla would not have a long preparation before being set for races such as the Parramatta Cup early next year.
“He’ll win a listed race over 2000m without too much trouble, and if we can pick that off, hopefully we can win a few more as well,” he said.
Love comes later for young trainer
Ballina trainer Jordan Lee scored his first city winner in dramatic style when Lovewillcomelater took out the Highway Handicap on protest at Randwick on Saturday.
Danny Williams-trained Kreon ($10) fought back to hold on by a nose from Lovewillcomelater ($23) in the 1400m class 3 handicap but jockey Nash Rawiller fired in a protest.
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Kreon, with Zac Lloyd aboard, shifted out in the shadows of the post and made contact with Lovewillcomelater.
After both parties argued their case, stewards found the interference was enough to overturn the result.
Lee, the son of trainer Stephen Lee, had his first runner just a year ago and all of his previous 15 winners had been at country level.
