Darren spurs on to win

By Glen Atwell
CHAMPION jockey Darren Gauci booted home Our Spur to win the Yarra Glen Cup at Cranbourne Racecourse on Sunday.
The 10-race transferred meeting featured the $100,000 Aquanita Elvstroem Yarra Glen Cup, and a large crowd turned out to enjoy the sunny weather and exciting racing.
After track damage at Yarra Glen forced the relocation of the cup meeting, the move did not dampen racegoers’ spirits and marquee packages still proved a hit with punters.
A shuttle bus between the racecourse and the Cranbourne train station was supplied to ease access to the course for Yarra Valley residents.
The 2025-metre cup race was won by Our Spur (TAB $6.10), who sped past Mr Big ($2.10) and We’re Unaware ($5.20), both Cranbourne trained.
We’re Unaware rocketed from the barriers to the lead, leaving Mr Big and Our Spur bumping for the leaders’ trail.
Our Spur secured the run of the race and forced Mr Big to move three wide and race on the back quarter of the leader.
On the home turn, Mr Big headed We’re Unaware and jockey Vlad Duric looked like he would kick away to win the cup.
But champion hoop Gauci had other ideas, squeezing Our Spur between the two Cranbourne gallopers and racing away to win by a length.
Gauci said it was a dream run behind the leader.
“The pace wasn’t too quick, it was the best run possible,” he said.
“I knew when the leaders let down that we’d have enough to catch them.”
Wendy Kelly, trainer of Mr Big was a little disappointed but still happy with the run. “We were beaten by a better horse on the day,” she said.
“Our boy (Mr Big) is still learning, Vlad rode him perfectly again.”
Kelly said Mr Big, three wins this preparation, would be spelled.
“I’m grateful for the run he got today, he’ll go out now and come back prepared for the country cups,” she said.