Wil John Wins Jericho Cup in a Thriller

Mark Smith - Sunday November 28

Third in the race twelve months ago, the favourite Wil John outlasted the gallant Budd Fox in a stirring length of straight dual in Sunday’s $304,000 Haymes Paint Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool.

A well done pat for Wil John (image Alice Miles/Racing Photos)

Under the topweight of 70kgs, Will John was afforded every chance with a ground saving ride by Will Gordon.

Trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, the 6yo son of Reset defeated the Henry Dwyer-trained Budd Fox (Foxwedge) by a length with the winner’s stablemate Heberite (Raise The Flag) a further 13-lengths back in third.

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The winner of the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown back in August, Will John advances his record to ten wins, five seconds and three thirds from 25 starts with earnings of $609,725.

“It really is something special. I didn’t get down last year, but the club and Bill Gibbons have done a fantastic job of promoting this race,” Maher said.

“To win it for Colin and Janice McKenna and connections is unbelievable.

“He is a special horse. His mother was one of the first yearlings I bought for Colin and Janice.”  

The wide angle needed for the winners photo (image Alice Miles/Racing Photos)

Col McKenna said Bill Gibbons deserves all the praise for developing the race and denoted his share of the prizemoney to Gibbons.

“It is an absolute credit to people like Bill Gibbons for putting this race on,” McKenna said. “Nobody gives him the credit he deserves.

“He put up $1.2 million of his own money, his own money, to support this race for four years.

“I think it is unbelievable.

“My father, fathers in law and uncles all went to war, so this is bloody special.

“We bred this horse and all our friends are in him. There are 200 supporters here today. Janice and I love the horse.”  

There is a sad footnote to the race as Wil John’s dam Arohanui died ten days ago.

Ciaron Maher had purchased Arohanui for $30,000 out of the Oakford Thoroughbred Farm draft at the 2010 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

The daughter of Bianconi (USA) showed ability with two wins and three places from five starts. From the family of Group 1 AJC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Alf and Group III BATC Doomben Stakes winner Gladfull, Arohanui’s first three foals are winners.

She has a 2yo colt by Street boss, a yearling filly by Impending and foaled a Puissance De Lune (IRE) filly in September.

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Race Result - Haymes Paint Jericho Cup-Bm90 4600m

Warrnambool Track: Good(3) Time: 5:21.03
1
Wil John
- 6g Reset (AUS) x Arohanui (AUS) (Bianconi (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: W Gordon 70
2
1.0
Budd Fox
- 6g Foxwedge (AUS) x Banker's Choice (USA) (Canadian Frontier (USA))
Tnr: Henry Dwyer Rdr: A Lynch 66
3
14.0
Heberite
- 7g Raise The Flag (GB) x Arurite (NZ) (Rua Rukuna (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: T Ryan 65.5
4
15.7
Master Poet
- 9g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Rhyme (NZ) (Spinning World (USA))
Tnr: Amy McDonald Rdr: A N Kuru 65
5
15.8
Will To Excel
- 6g High Chaparral (IRE) x Essence Of Success (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: James Ponsonby Rdr: Lee Horner 65
6
23.8
American In Paris
- 6g Americain (USA) x Manhattan Treasure (AUS) (Portland Pirate (AUS))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: Ronan Short 65
7
25.8
Sivar
- 5g Dissident (AUS) x Caribbean Blue (AUS) (Astronomer Royal (USA))
Tnr: Peter Lafferty Rdr: Nathan Newton 65
8
31.8
Zabextra
- 9m Lucky Unicorn (AUS) x Zabex (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Bob & Kane Post Rdr: R O'Sullivan 65
9
32.8
Beachgoer
- 5g Toronado (IRE) x Boracay (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: L C Williams 65
10
34.3
Allaboutattitude
- 9g Delightful Choice (AUS) x Time Is Tight (AUS) (Majaahed (USA))
Tnr: T Cottier Rdr: Megan Dunseath 65
11
41.3
Compulsive
- 6g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Obsession (NZ) (Bachelor Duke (USA))
Tnr: B I Stanaway Rdr: Richard O'Donoghue 65
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