It was at the final furlong marker at Dunkeld racetrack that Liam Howley’s Station One showed heart that even Phar Lap would be proud of.
A gutsy and brave performance by Station One delivered Howley and Shepparton connections another country cup to his growing resume as the five-year-old gelding clinched the time-honoured Dunkeld Cup (1800m).
Headed by his rivals at the 200m marker ― having led for majority of the $50,000 headline race ― Station One looked to have put in another valiant showing.
But Station One’s 22nd start was unlike any of his previous runs.
The son of Toronado dug deep and found an extra gear as he fought back down the straight.
Jockey Alana Kelly kept urging Station One down the rails and it was in the final 100m that the gelding was able to eyeball his opponents again before he found the winning post first at $4.80 odds.
Howley praised his stable’s country cup champ, with the Dunkeld triumph following on from last year’s Kyneton Cup victory.
“To fight back, against his natural pattern, was just awesome ... I think 12 months ago the same horse wouldn’t have done that and probably would have put the white flag up,” the Shepparton product said.
“He likes to get forward and then relax, but they took him on and he didn’t get much of a breather in the run.
“And Alana gave him a beautiful ride and she handled the pressure well.
“Credit to the horse as well, he’s tough ... his last two preps have been excellent and it’s nice he gets some reward.”
Howley added that the Dunkeld Cup victory would be one to savour for his small stable.
The once-a-year meeting is held at the picturesque racetrack, situated at the base of the Grampians.
“We made the call to go there instead of the Country Cup final at Caulfield on the same day,”
“It is one of those country cups that has got aura and mystique to it. I’ve spoken to a few guys who have tried to win it and they all speak highly of it and it’s since having those discussions that I now appreciate it more.
“So in that aspect, I’m very proud to have won it.”
The sold-out crowd at Dunkeld made it difficult for some of the Goulburn Valley-based ownership group to attend trackside.
Howley revealed a group opted to gather at Station One’s namesake to cheer him home.
“A few owners from Shepp were trying to get tickets, but it was sold out. Instead, they all gathered at Station One, which was at the Sherbs,” Howley said.
“It’s just fantastic for the ownership group, they’re a great bunch of people and I’m thrilled for them. Everyone loves a cup and the boys can’t wait for me to bring it up.”
Howley said the plan for Station One would be to continue the current preparation ― aiming to raid a few more country cups in the process.
“The plan all prep is to keep him fresh. We didn’t have a saddle on him between his Kyneton Cup and Dunkeld runs, so we want to keep him nice and fresh,” he said.
“There’s the Traralgon Cup maybe, although we won’t stretch him out past a mile and a half.
“He’s now rated a 75, which makes it a bit tricky to try and pick the right country cup. There’s something about them, so we’ll try and pick off a few more.”