Runaway win for locals in Geelong Cup
Locally bred stayer Runaway realised a dream for Anthony Mithen and Nigel Austin when it led all the way to win the Geelong Cup just four years after being born down the road at Rosemont Stud.
Stephen Baster took the horse to the lead as the field passed the winning post for the first time and was never headed kicking clear in the straight to defeat Northwest Passage and Finche who filled the placings.
The result was a quinella for the vivacious Gai Waterhouse who said the decision to run the horse in the Geelong Cup became a no-brainer for her and training partner Adrian Bott when she realised Rosemont Stud's desire to win their local cup.
Mithen sold Runaway to Waterhouse initially and then decided to buy back into him when they heard she was likely to syndicate a share.
At the start of the preparation the connections made the Geelong Cup their target but they also entered him in the Melbourne Cup, where he sits at 49th in the order of entry before any penalty is applied.
Mithen, whose daughter Lily plays for the Melbourne in the AFLW, said his local connection made the race the one he and Austin always coveted.
"It makes it all the more special," Mithen said.
More to come
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