DORRIGO trainer Cyril Kellett only entered Bridle Star in yesterday's $20,000 Carlton Draught Armidale Gold Cup (1900m) to "see what happened".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
When Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman drove the five-year-old gelding home to a length and quarter win over $4.80 favourite Rodeo Chute Out, Kellett was left to ponder a possible start in the March 28 Tamworth Cup (2100m).
"It looks we'll have to go to Tamworth," Kellett said.
"I don't know whether he'll get the distance but I'll have to talk to the owners."
Bridle Star settled a little worse than midfield with Bowman following the horse he thought was the one to beat, Rodeo Chute Out.
"I wanted to track Rodeo Chute Out," Bowman said.
"We tracked him all the way and then he let down well and was too strong for them."
Originally from Dunedoo, Bowman started his apprenticeship at Bathurst before moving to Sydney where he is re-establishing himself after a long disqualification.
"Things aren't going too bad. I'm starting to get a few good rides," Bowman said.
Bowman is the rider for Exceed and Excel, one of the boom two-year-olds approaching the Golden Slipper and thinks trainer Tim Martin will start the talented juvenile next in the Black Opal at Canberra.
Yesterday Bowman, who rode at the recent Walcha Cup meeting, was having his second start in Armidale.
"I rode here two years ago but that was my first win today," he said.
Bridle Star is owned by Grafton's Geoff Austin, Dorrigo's Gary Penfold and Trevor Traynor and Coffs Harbour's Vic Spooner.
Austin said Kellett's effort to take Bridle Star to an Armidale Cup win was special.
"He's never run here before," Austin said of Bridle Star.
"And he'd never been over 1900m this
preparation.
"He's always shown potential but Cyril said the 1900m should suit him and to come here and see what happens."
Kellett bought Bridle Star for $3000 at a Tamworth sale and he has now won $40,330 in prizemoney from his 35 starts.
Kellet said his form leading into the race was also good.
"He got flattened at the 600m in the Gunnedah Cup and never got going again," he said.
Kellett is a cattle farmer who has a 600m dirt track.
Dorrigo doesn't have a racetrack, Austin said.
"So the only time Bridle Star sees the race-track is when he races," Austin said.
"Cyril rides all his own work, does all his own shoeing.
"That's marvellous for a bloke aged 60-something."
