THE Mick Hartney-trained Regular Aussie overcame the huge burden of 61 kilograms to storm to victory in the $12,000 Berrigan Cup (1600 metres) on Saturday.
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It delivered Hartney his second home-town feature in three years after Regular Aussie also won the Berrigan feature two years ago and finished runner-up last year.
The seven-year-old gelding also finished runner-up in 2010.
Hartney said Regular Aussie certainly had an affinity for Berrigan with two wins and two minor placings in his four starts at the track.
“It’s a huge thrill to win your home-town cup twice in three years,” Hartney said.
“He has only had four starts on the track for two wins and two seconds and all in the Berrigan Cup.
“It was a terrific performance considering he had to lump the grand stand.
“There was another huge crowd in attendance and it was just a good day all round.”
Regular Aussie ($3.40) was given the run of the race by Nick Souquet who claimed his sixth Berrigan feature and also his second in three years.
Bellissimo started the $3.20 favourite and was the other local hope in the race for young Berrigan trainer Emma Steel.
Steel was chasing her second Berrigan Cup after winning the race with Smokey Scence in 2010.
Ridden by Kodie Grace, Belissimo set a cracking pace in the lead and sneaked away to a six-length lead mid-race.
Souquet bided his time and got a perfect cart into the race before exploding clear at the 200-metre mark to defeat He’s An Angel ($4.40) by a long neck with last year’s winner Brillanconi ($4) third.
“It was a gem of a ride by Nick Souquet,” Hartney said.
“We decided against using a claiming apprentice because he is a bit of a headstrong horse that needs an experienced jockey.
“The horse has won 12 races with Nick aboard five times.”
The victory sparked wild celebrations as Regular Aussie is raced by a local syndicate including Hartney, former Berrigan Race Club vice-president Ken Moar and his wife Sandra, Dale Alderton and Andrew Ryan.
Hartney said he would let the dust settle before deciding on Regular Aussie’s next start.
“There are two options,” he said.
“He will either have a bit of a freshen-up or otherwise head to the Donald Cup where he finished second last year.”
Regular Aussie could also target the Wodonga Gold Cup next month after finishing third in the race last year.
