CONNECTIONS of Master Reset are targeting something much bigger after its come-from-behind victory in the Wodonga Gold Cup.
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In front of a bumper crowd of around 6000, the Matt Laurie-trained four-year-old gelding set a track record of 1:33.91 to take home the $90,000 cup on Friday.
The win was extra special for Border sporting identity Wayne Matsinos, the owner-manager.
“We went down to Bairnsdale and he got injured down there a month ago, so he hasn’t had a start for a month,” Matsinos said.
“But he worked his way back into it and it was a bit of a choice between Kilmore, this one or Moonee Valley tomorrow, and we decided to go Wodonga.
“Track record which is great, he’s a great horse.”
Master Reset, which was paying $6 on TAB’s fixed odds, got a slow start from barrier two.
King’s Dance ($4.80) led at the 200-metre mark, but Master Reset put the foot down at the 100m mark, overtaking King’s Dance to win by just over a length.
King’s Dance, trained by Mick Price, was second, with the Peter Moody-trained favourite, Oregon Spirit, rounding out the placings.
So what’s next for Master Reset?
“We’d be looking for something bigger again now,” Matsinos said.
“We knew he was good, (but) he’s a very fickle horse.
“During the day he’s got to be in a paddock, he won’t be in a box.”
The win was also special for Cranbourne-based jockey Jason Benbow.
Benbow led Jetconi to back-to-back Wodonga Cup wins in 2011.
“To see the connections so excited, reminds me why you do this job,” the 29-year-old said.
“You might be having a bad day, but one ride can put a smile on your dile.”
The race, number six on the eight-race card, didn’t go to plan for Benbow.
But it mattered little in the end.
“He’s not the best mannered horse but it actually worked in our favour,” Benbow said.
“When he got to the straight he sprinted really well and obviously breaking the track record, it is not an easy feat.
“Especially in a race with that much depth and that much pressure.
“Hopefully I can stick with him and get a few more wins along the way.”
Benbow said the track record meant little to him, other than bragging rights.
“I don’t get any extra prizemoney, but if that record stands in say 10 years’ time you bring your family back here and say well I rode that horse that broke that track record,” he said.
