Winning Horse: Wil John (AUS)

5yoG Reset (Aus) - Arohanui (Aus)(Bianconi (USA))

19 starts - 5 wins 5 seconds 3 thirds $172575

Other Wins

1st Ararat Tac Be Races Ready (Bm70) 3800m (2020)

1st Geelong Dmb Contracting (Bm64) 2447m (2020)

1st Hamilton Bet365 (Bm58) 2200m (2019)

1st Warrnambool Pearsons Nursery Mdn Plate 1700m (2019)

Race Result:

1st: Wil John (Maher & Eustace/S Pateman) - $3.60F

2nd: Annunciate (C Hyland/C Douglas) - $5.50
3rd: Pueblo (D & C Feek/W Gordan) - $9.50

Winning Time: 3:44.65 Last 600m: N/A

Margins: 8L x 1¾L

Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace

“It’s phenomenal. He’s off a fairly light prep going into a first-up start like that but he’s a really strong stayer and that was evident off his Jericho Cup placing.

“When you look at him he’s a big free-striding horse. Steve was pretty happy with his trials leading in and it was a great result by the team. They’ve done a great job as he had a few niggles and it has been great to get him in here.

“Colin and Janice McKenna own him and bred him and to having him win over the carnival is phenomenal. Great ride by Steve and probably got to give his wife Jess a shout out. She got him fit as a fiddle.”

Winning Jockey: Steven Pateman

“It worked out a treat for him. Lovely big horse, had plenty of room. He’s got a big future especially in steeplechasing. He’s big unit and I think he’ll eat fences up later on.

“Beautifully well prepared by Dec and Ciaron and the team and hopefully it’s the first of many.

21st winner over the carnival: “My first ever ride here (was a winner) for a local trainer Ken Elford so that got me hooked.”