Winning Horse: Wil John (Aus)

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

22 starts - 8 wins 5 seconds 3 thirds $365625

Other Wins

1st Warrnambool Pontings Mitre-10 Hrdl (1Jw) 3200m (2021)

1st Bendigo Apiam Animal Health (Bm70) 3600m (2021)

1st Warrnambool Cally Hotel Mdn Hrdl 3200m (2021)

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)

Other Placings

3rd Warrnambool Haymes Paint Jericho Cup 4600m (2020)

2nd Gawler Bushfire Labour Day Cup (Bm66) 3000m (2020)

2nd Echuca Blaze Essential Services-Bm70 3200m (2020)

2nd Mornington Janet Hemmings (Bm70) 3080m (2020)

2nd Murtoa Chs Group Horsham (Bm58) 2050m (2020)

3rd Swan Hill Hygain (Bm58) 1600m (2020)

2nd Swan Hill Pooles Accountants (Bm58) 1600m (2019)

3rd Warrnambool Fresh Master Painting (Bm64) 2000m (2019)

Race Result:

1st: Wil John (W McCarthy/C Maher & D Eustace) - $2.60 fav

2nd: Inayforhay (L Horner/P Preusker) - $10
3rd: Instigator (D Horner/A Purcell) - $19

Winning Time: 5:14.64 Last 600m: n/a

Margins: 4L x 6L

Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Ciaron Maher interviewed)

Thoughts on Wil John: “For a big horse over hurdles, he really finds his jumps well. You’ll see he just jumped his way into the race going up the back straight.”

On Willie McCarthy riding a feature winner for the stable: “Willie McCarthy, he does a lot for the stable. He’s a great fella and it is great to be able to reward him with a ride like that.

On what the win means to Ciaron: “He is a very impressive stayer. He is just so special. Col and Janice are friends and massive supporters. They bred the horse and it is just fantastic. He was placed in a Jericho down there at Warrnambool and I know they would really love to win an Annual so very special and I can’t thank them enough.”

Future plans: “He could get his switch and to the bigger fences for the Grand National Steeplechase in three weeks. We’ll just sit down and have a chat with Col up there in Darwin with a bit of sun on their backs, I’m sure they will be enjoying it.”

Thanking his team: “It is a massive team effort to get these horses ready, they take a lot of work. There is a lot of passion there for them. They have all run well, it was a really good race. I was pretty excited about coming to the races today. To all of the staff, they really do a great job and my brother plays a big part in that. And again, Willie (McCarthy), it was a super effort, a really good steer.”

Winning Jockey: Will McCarthy

Great to ride for Ciaron: “Absolutely. Super to ride a winner for the boss. I came out here to ride work for him in May and this is my first winner for him, so it was a good way to kick it off. I knew as soon as the entries came out it was meant to be. My middle name is John, Willie John, Willie John, so it was good.”

Confident in the run: “He’s a super animal. One of the best I’ve sat on. He travelled really strongly all the way and jumped from hurdle to hurdle. I was taking him back going up the hill telling him to wait. With the light weight today in this race and it was a quality field, but off the light weight, he’s a big strong horse, we kicked from the bottom of the hill home. I’ve got to give a shout out to my mate Hector that works with Ciaron. I’ve been sitting in his hot-tub all week losing the weight. We made it work.”

Like to stick with him: “I’d love to stick with him. Steve (Pateman) couldn’t do the weight on him today. I was glad to get on him today and make it count.”

History of Winners

Date	Horse	TF	Jockey	BP	Trainer	Weight	Margin	SP	SOT
2/08/2020	ABLAZE (8G)	93	S JACKSON	1	CIARON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE	69.5	1	$2.8	S(5)
4/08/2019	TALLYHO TWINKLETOE (8G)	86	AARON KURU	6	PATRICK PAYNE	67.5	4.8	$3.0	S(6)
5/08/2018	COUGAR EXPRESS (7G)	95	S JACKSON	1	JARROD MCLEAN	64.0	12.0	$8.5	G(4)
6/08/2017	ANCIENT KING (7G)	94	J ALLEN	8	DARREN WEIR	64.0	4.0	$2.8	H(9)
7/08/2016	ZANTECO (7G)	90	BRAD MCLEAN	4	DARREN WEIR	64.0	2.0	$4.0	S(6)
12/07/2015	KING OF DUDES (6G)	88	P GALLAGHER	9	AARON PURCELL	64.5	shd	$8.5	H(10)
13/07/2014	SEA KING (7G)	100	STEVEN PATEMAN	1	PATRICK PAYNE	67.0	4.8	$6.0	SL(7)
14/07/2013	BLACK AND BENT (7G)	107	STEVEN PATEMAN	1	ROBERT SMERDON	72.0	1.8	$3.5	H(9)
15/07/2012	BRUNGLE CRY (4G)	98	STEVEN PATEMAN	4	ROBERT SMERDON	64.5	8.0	$1.7	H(10)
14/08/2011	BLACK AND BENT (5G)	113	STEVEN PATEMAN	3	ROBERT SMERDON	69.0	12	$1.3	S(6)
15/08/2010	THE PENTAGON (7G)	93	GERRAD GILMOUR	6	MICHAEL KENT	64.0	8	$2.6	H(10)
30/08/2009	DESERT MASTER (7G)	96	ADAM TRINDER	1	ROBBIE LAING	67.0	1.3	$4.0	S(7)
28/06/2008	DERRINGER (9G)	95	BRETT SCOTT	9	JOHN SALANITRI	65.0	1.3	$7.0	G
30/06/2007	SOME ARE BENT (5G)	95	BRAD MCLEAN	5	ROBERT SMERDON	68.0	2.3	$4.8	H
1/07/2006	BUSBY GLENN (6G)	89	BILL WILLIAMS	4	ROBBIE LAING	65.0	shd	$5.5	G
2/07/2005	ENZED (6G)	89	JAMIE EVANS	2	ALLISON BENNETT	63.5	3	$6.5	S
3/07/2004	TEAM HERITAGE (4G)	99	ANDREA LEEK	7	JOHN LEEK (JNR)	62.0	4.3	$3.5	G
28/06/2003	ALOBAR (8G)	79	WILLIAM HARNETT	10	CLIFF BROWN	64.0	nose	$8.0	D
29/06/2002	ZABENZ (4G)	99	M MILLS	2	ROBERT SMERDON	63.0	10	$2.4	S
7/07/2001	NAUTILISM (5G)	97	BRETT SCOTT	5	LEE FREEDMAN	63.5	12	$4.3	S

Current Field - Previous Performances

TAB	Runner	Previous Runs
5	FIREFREE	4/08/2019 2nd/11 - 4.8L,

History Placegetters : Statistics from 2000 to 2020

Date	Horse	Time	Second / Third Placegetters
2/08/2020	ABLAZE	5:03.39	2nd-Bee Tee Junior (Lee Horner 66kg - Rachael Cunningham), 3rd-Gobstopper (D Horner Jnr 70kg - Eric Musgrove)
4/08/2019	TALLYHO TWINKLETOE	5:04.79	2nd-Firefree (Tom Ryan 64kg - Cliff Murray), 3rd-Euroman (S Jackson 64kg - Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)
5/08/2018	COUGAR EXPRESS	4:56.47	2nd-Self Sense (Clayton Douglas 69kg - David Brideoake), 3rd-Bit Of A Lad (J Allen 66kg - Darren Weir)
6/08/2017	ANCIENT KING	4:43.00	2nd-Two Hats (Braidon Small 64kg - Aaron Purcell), 3rd-Hornets' Nest (Paul Francis Hamblin 64kg - James J Mcnamara)
7/08/2016	ZANTECO	4:37.14	2nd-Tremec (A Lynch 64kg - E Musgrove), 3rd-Gingerboy (J Allen 66kg - D Weir), 3rd-Slowpoke Rodriguez (R Cully 64kg - P Payne)
12/07/2015	KING OF DUDES	4:41.78	2nd-Fieldmaster (Steven Pateman 67kg - Patrick Payne), 2nd-Stand To Gain (Paul Francis Hamblin 66kg - R K Challis)
13/07/2014	SEA KING	4:40.04	2nd-Stand To Gain (Gavin Bedggood 64kg - R K Challis), 3rd-Wells (Brad Mclean 65kg - Kathryn Durden)
14/07/2013	BLACK AND BENT	4:38.33	2nd-Stand To Gain (Paul Francis Hamblin 64kg - R K Challis), 3rd-Brungle Cry (Tom Ryan 67kg - Robert Smerdon)
15/07/2012	BRUNGLE CRY	4:48.15	2nd-Zaman (Trent Wells 64kg - Fran Houlahan & Brian Johnston), 3rd-Gotta Take Care (J Allen 69kg - Darren Weir)
14/08/2011	BLACK AND BENT	4:30.57	2nd-Desert Master (Nathan Dunn 65kg - Grant Craven), 3rd-Famous Prince (A Lynch 64kg - Eric Musgrove)
15/08/2010	THE PENTAGON	5:46.75	2nd-Regal Heir (Nathan Dunn 65kg - Ciaron Maher), 3rd-Desert Master (Adam Trinder 69kg - Robbie Laing)
30/08/2009	DESERT MASTER	5:25.31	2nd-Juan Carlos (Steven Pateman 64kg - Allison Bennett), 3rd-Yamanaura (Brett Scott 68kg - J R Wheeler)
28/06/2008	DERRINGER	4:54.50	2nd-Indicates (Gerrad Gilmour 65kg - Cliff Murray), 3rd-Frenzilian (Tom Logan 66kg - Heather Frew)
30/06/2007	SOME ARE BENT	5:06.38	2nd-Ginolad (William Harnett 62kg - Aaron Purcell), 3rd-Pantani (Steven Pateman 62kg - Robbie Laing)
1/07/2006	BUSBY GLENN	4:52.60	2nd-Sir Pentire (Steven Pateman 62kg - Robbie Laing), 3rd-Vazoom (Gerrad Gilmour 64kg - Michael Kent)
2/07/2005	ENZED	4:56.16	2nd-Mister Twister (Paul Francis Hamblin 63kg - Colin Alderson), 3rd-Sissano (Bill Williams 63kg - Robbie Laing)
3/07/2004	TEAM HERITAGE	4:28.10	2nd-Oncha (Craig Durden 63kg - Stuart Webb), 3rd-Karasi (Brett Scott 68kg - Eric Musgrove)
28/06/2003	ALOBAR	4:28.69	2nd-Specular (Adrian Garraway 70kg - Tony Rosolini), 3rd-Fraar Magic (Danny Crozier 60kg - T D Kelly)
29/06/2002	ZABENZ	4:28.08	2nd-Real Tonic (Brett Scott 62kg - J R Wheeler), 3rd-Zabuan (William Harnett 63kg - James Moloney)
7/07/2001	NAUTILISM	4:34.69	2nd-True Response (William Harnett 61kg - Carlo Vidotto), 3rd-Stacey Jones (Adrian Garraway 63kg - Kevin Myers)

Black Type Form: Last 12 months

Date	Horse	Previous 12 month Form
2/08/2020	ABLAZE	27/06/2020 7th-8.9L Stayers' Cup; 5/05/2020 1st-8L The Grand Annual Steeple; 1/12/2019 1st-0.8L The Jericho Cup;
4/08/2019	TALLYHO TWINKLETOE
5/08/2018	COUGAR EXPRESS
6/08/2017	ANCIENT KING
7/08/2016	ZANTECO
12/07/2015	KING OF DUDES	12/07/2014 6th-5.9L Banjo Paterson Final;
13/07/2014	SEA KING
14/07/2013	BLACK AND BENT
15/07/2012	BRUNGLE CRY
14/08/2011	BLACK AND BENT	9/07/2011 1st-nk Banjo Paterson Final;
15/08/2010	THE PENTAGON
30/08/2009	DESERT MASTER	13/06/2009 5th-8.6L The Australian Hurdle; 16/05/2009 8th-6.7L LR Andrew Ramsden Stakes; 6/05/2009 1st-0.8L The Galleywood Hurdle;
28/06/2008	DERRINGER	17/05/2008 4th-9.7L LR Andrew Ramsden Stakes; 6/10/2007 11th-17.1L LR The Bart Cummings; 7/07/2007 11th-16.6L Banjo Paterson Final;
30/06/2007	SOME ARE BENT	2/05/2007 1st-3.8L The Galleywood Hurdle;
1/07/2006	BUSBY GLENN	4/05/2006 2nd-2.5L The Grand Annual Steeple; 9/11/2005 8th-8.1L LR Bendigo Cup;
2/07/2005	ENZED	17/11/2004 11th-4.3L LR Ballarat Cup; 6/11/2004 6th-3.3L G2 Queen Elizabeth Stakes; 29/10/2004 5th-2.5L LR Pakenham Cup; 10/07/2004 3rd-1.4L Banjo Paterson Final;
3/07/2004	TEAM HERITAGE
28/06/2003	ALOBAR	30/04/2003 2nd-nk The Galleywood Hurdle;
29/06/2002	ZABENZ
7/07/2001	NAUTILISM	16/06/2001 2nd-2L The Australian Hurdle; 25/11/2000 10th-4.8L G3 Eclipse Stakes;

Winning Trainers : Statistics from 2000 to 2020

Trainer	won	w%	2nd	3rd	Sts	Winners
ROBERT SMERDON	5	50.0%	0	1	10	2013 - BLACK AND BENT; 2012 - BRUNGLE CRY; 2011 - BLACK AND BENT; 2007 - SOME ARE BENT; 2002 - ZABENZ;
ROBBIE LAING	2	12.5%	1	3	16	2009 - DESERT MASTER; 2006 - BUSBY GLENN*;
PATRICK PAYNE	2	25.0%	1	1	8	2019 - TALLYHO TWINKLETOE; 2014 - SEA KING;
DARREN WEIR	2	25.0%	0	3	8	2017 - ANCIENT KING; 2016 - ZANTECO;
AARON PURCELL	1	12.5%	2	0	8	2015 - KING OF DUDES;
ALLISON BENNETT	1	50.0%	1	0	2	2005 - ENZED;
MICHAEL KENT	1	33.3%	0	1	3	2010 - THE PENTAGON;
CIARON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE	1	50.0%	0	1	2	2020 - ABLAZE;
JARROD MCLEAN	1	50.0%	0	0	2	2018 - COUGAR EXPRESS;
LEE FREEDMAN	1	50.0%	0	0	2	2001 - NAUTILISM;
JOHN LEEK (JNR)	1	100.0%	0	0	1	2004 - TEAM HERITAGE;
CLIFF BROWN	1	100.0%	0	0	1	2003 - ALOBAR;
JOHN SALANITRI	1	100.0%	0	0	1	2008 - DERRINGER;
CLIFF MURRAY	0	0.0%	2	0	2
ERIC MUSGROVE	0	0.0%	1	3	24

Winning Jockeys : Statistics from 2000 to 2020

Jockey	won	w%	2nd	3rd	Sts	Winners
STEVEN PATEMAN	4	26.7%	3	1	15	2014 - SEA KING; 2013 - BLACK AND BENT; 2012 - BRUNGLE CRY; 2011 - BLACK AND BENT;
BRETT SCOTT	2	25.0%	1	2	8	2008 - DERRINGER; 2001 - NAUTILISM;
BRAD MCLEAN	2	15.4%	0	1	13	2016 - ZANTECO; 2007 - SOME ARE BENT;
S JACKSON	2	66.7%	0	1	3	2020 - ABLAZE; 2018 - COUGAR EXPRESS;
WILLIAM HARNETT	1	16.7%	2	1	6	2003 - ALOBAR;
GERRAD GILMOUR	1	20.0%	1	1	5	2010 - THE PENTAGON;
J ALLEN	1	14.3%	0	3	7	2017 - ANCIENT KING;
BILL WILLIAMS	1	12.5%	0	1	8	2006 - BUSBY GLENN;
ADAM TRINDER	1	20.0%	0	1	5	2009 - DESERT MASTER;
M MILLS	1	50.0%	0	0	2	2002 - ZABENZ;
ANDREA LEEK	1	50.0%	0	0	2	2004 - TEAM HERITAGE;
JAMIE EVANS	1	50.0%	0	0	2	2005 - ENZED;
AARON KURU	1	50.0%	0	0	2	2019 - TALLYHO TWINKLETOE;
P GALLAGHER	1	100.0%	0	0	1	2015 - KING OF DUDES;
A LYNCH	0	0.0%	1	1	6
ADRIAN GARRAWAY	0	0.0%	1	1	5
TOM RYAN	0	0.0%	1	1	5
LEE HORNER	0	0.0%	1	0	2
D HORNER JNR	0	0.0%	0	1	3
WILL GORDON	0	0.0%	0	0	2
MR N NEWTON	0	0.0%	0	0	1
RONAN SHORT	0	0.0%	0	0	1

Barrier Statistics : Statistics from 2000 to 2020

BP	won	w%	2nd	3rd	Sts	Winners
1	5	25.0%	1	1	20	2020 - ABLAZE; 2018 - COUGAR EXPRESS; 2014 - SEA KING; 2013 - BLACK AND BENT; 2009 - DESERT MASTER;
2	2	10.0%	2	2	20	2005 - ENZED; 2002 - ZABENZ;
3	1	5.0%	2	4	20	2011 - BLACK AND BENT;
4	3	15.0%	4	2	20	2016 - ZANTECO; 2012 - BRUNGLE CRY; 2006 - BUSBY GLENN
5	2	10.5%	4	2	19	2007 - SOME ARE BENT; 2001 - NAUTILISM;
6	2	10.5%	2	1	19	2019 - TALLYHO TWINKLETOE; 2010 - THE PENTAGON;
7	1	5.6%	1	6	18	2004 - TEAM HERITAGE;
8	1	6.3%	1	1	16	2017 - ANCIENT KING;
9	2	16.7%	2	0	12	2015 - KING OF DUDES; 2008 - DERRINGER;
10	1	10.0%	1	1	10	2003 - ALOBAR;
11	0	0.0%	0	0	7
12	0	0.0%	0	0	4
13	0	0.0%	1	0	3

Winners by Weight : Statistics from 2000 to 2020

Weight	Num	Winners
62.0	1	2004 - TEAM HERITAGE;
63.0	1	2002 - ZABENZ;
63.5	2	2005 - ENZED; 2001 - NAUTILISM;
64.0	5	2018 - COUGAR EXPRESS; 2017 - ANCIENT KING; 2016 - ZANTECO; 2010 - THE PENTAGON; 2003 - ALOBAR;
64.5	2	2015 - KING OF DUDES; 2012 - BRUNGLE CRY;
65.0	2	2008 - DERRINGER; 2006 - BUSBY GLENN;
67.0	2	2014 - SEA KING; 2009 - DESERT MASTER;
67.5	1	2019 - TALLYHO TWINKLETOE;
68.0	1	2007 - SOME ARE BENT;
69.0	1	2011 - BLACK AND BENT;
69.5	1	2020 - ABLAZE;
72.0	1	2013 - BLACK AND BENT;

Favourites : Statistics from 2000 to 2020

Fav	won	w%	2nd	3rd	Sts	Winners
1	8	36.4%	3	2	22	2019/2-1-TALLYHO TWINKLETOE; 2017/7-4-ANCIENT KING; 2012/4-6-BRUNGLE CRY; 2011/4-13-BLACK AND BENT; 2010/13-8-THE PENTAGON; 2006/9-2F-BUSBY GLENN; 2004/5-2F-TEAM HERITAGE; 2002/11-8F-ZABENZ;
2	5	25.0%	2	3	20	2020/7-4-ABLAZE; 2016/3-1-ZANTECO; 2013/5-2-BLACK AND BENT; 2007/15-4-SOME ARE BENT; 2001/13-4-NAUTILISM;
3	3	15.8%	6	1	19	2014/5-1-SEA KING; 2009/3-1-DESERT MASTER; 2005/11-2-ENZED;
4	4	19.0%	4	6	21	2018/15-2-COUGAR EXPRESS; 2015/15-2-KING OF DUDES; 2008/6-1-DERRINGER; 2003/7-ALOBAR;
5	0	0.0%	1	3	20
6	0	0.0%	2	1	19
7	0	0.0%	1	2	20
8	0	0.0%	1	0	14
9	0	0.0%	0	1	10
10	0	0.0%	1	1	9
11	0	0.0%	0	0	8
12	0	0.0%	0	0	4
13	0	0.0%	0	0	2

Runner Ages : Statistics from 2000 to 2020

Age	won	2nd	3rd	Sts	Winners
4	3	0	1	9	2012 - BRUNGLE CRY; 2004 - TEAM HERITAGE; 2002 - ZABENZ;
5	3	3	4	29	2011 - BLACK AND BENT; 2007 - SOME ARE BENT; 2001 - NAUTILISM;
6	3	8	4	51	2015 - KING OF DUDES; 2006 - BUSBY GLENN; 2005 - ENZED;
7	7	4	5	40	2018 - COUGAR EXPRESS; 2017 - ANCIENT KING; 2016 - ZANTECO; 2014 - SEA KING; 2013 - BLACK AND BENT; 2010 - THE PENTAGON; 2009 - DESERT MASTER;
8	3	4	3	38	2020 - ABLAZE; 2019 - TALLYHO TWINKLETOE; 2003 - ALOBAR;
9	1	2	2	17	2008 - DERRINGER;
10	0	0	1	3