Schoolmates Celebrate Bendigo Glory

A SYNDICATE of 16 former Perth schoolmates celebrated Group glory last Friday night.

A SYNDICATE of 16 former Perth schoolmates celebrated Group glory last Friday night when brilliant Western Australian speedster Vanderworp was a dominant all-the-way winner of the Group 2 Triple M Bendigo Cup Final (425m).

Trained by prolific WA mentor Chris Halse, Vanderworp, a superbly-related October '15 son of Kelsos Fusileer and High Recall, a litter sister to dual Group 1 winner Star Recall, continued his sensational return from a lengthy injury-enforced absence when running a top-shelf field ragged in the $47,000 to-the-winner Cup.

"He's owned by a big syndicate of old schoolmates, going back 20 years; we're all '97/98 school leavers from Wesley College in Perth," explained Syndicate Manager Peter Cameron, who was trackside at Bendigo.

"Three of us were on track for the Cup and we had a great night obviously. The problem was with the race being on Friday night it was tricky for some of the boys to get time off work, otherwise there would have been more of us there.

"Troy (Harley, Bendigo GRC Manager) and his team really looked after us and Vanderworp did the rest! We celebrated with all of Bendigo and I think nearly everyone in Bendigo had a hold of the Cup!"

Vanderworp campaigned in Victoria last July, qualifying for the semi-finals of the Group 1 Maturity. He then made the final of the Group 3 SA Derby in September, but was scratched and sidelined for seven months, until returning for the Perth Cup series in April.

Despite a limited preparation, Vanderworp ran second in both his Perth Cup heat and the Group 3 Consolation, beaten less than a length on both occasions, and after winning five straight at Cannington he earned another trip to Victoria for the Bendigo Cup.

Vanderworp won his heat off box one in 23.82 and after again drawing suitably in two for the final he was on the third line of betting at $5.80, with Seona Thompson's fastest qualifier Big Flood (23.64) the $3.60 favourite.

Vanderworp came out running and after holding out multiple Group 1 winner Striker Light he broke clear approaching the home turn as he defeated NSW visitor Black Forge by 1.9 lengths in a fast 23.62, enhancing his imposing career strike rate to 15 from 27.

It was a breakthrough Group success at his third attempt and eighth win from 12 starts since returning from injury.

"The 425m at Bendigo is right in his wheelhouse," Cameron offered.

"At Cannington he's run some crazy quick sections for the first two sections but he's a bit vulnerable late. That was what happened in the Perth Cup series, where he was underdone and just got nutted in both his heat and the Consolation.

"On Perth Cup night he ran 18.25 to the back in the Consolation, while the Perth Cup winner, Trouper Monelli, ran 18.50.

"I gave him a chance for sure. I knew he needed some room to move early and as soon as I saw he had a clear run I was pretty excited. He dropped Striker Light off approaching the home turn and he was just too quick for them. There was some good names behind him and they all had a shot at him but he made his own luck.

"Unfortunately he missed six months of his prime time and you always have your doubts when they miss so much racing. Chris (Halse) and Linda (Britton) tried a few things but then they went back to an old school remedy, taking their time, knowing how young he was. To come back from injury and win a Group 2 is fantastic and hopefully there's more to come.

"The National Sprint Championship isn't too far away so he'll come home for that now. The Shepparton Cup clashes with our National Sprint heats so that will be the short-term goal and hopefully he can make it back across to Victoria for the final at Sandown."
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