The emotion for the $100,000 Tamworth Cup (1400m) has again been supplied by Chrysolaus, with the winner of last year’s race gaining entry into Sunday’s field after a scratching.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chrysolaus was listed as first emergency, but will start after Mischievous Devil was scratched on Thursday morning.
Tamworth Jockey Club general manager Damon Sullivan agreed the late addition of Chrysolaus had added an emotional element to the big race.
His victory came not long after the death of legendary Tamworth racing identity John Clift, who bred the horse, and who the multimillion-dollar grandstand it won last year’s cup in front of, is named after.
“He did a lot of breeding over the years and that (Chrysolaus) was more or less his pride and joy,” Sullivan said. He added: “I’d love to see him (Chrysolaus) run well and go back-to-back. That would be great.”
Sullivan said the five-year-old gelding’s form of late had not been the best. But he added: “The distance is suitable for him. I think the 1400m is perfect for him. So the distance is definitely a tick in his box, for sure.”
The grey son of retired Tamworth stallion Youthful Legs, won last year’s Tamworth Cup in brilliant and emotional fashion for Bendemeer trainer Jane Clement.
A winner of six races from 30 starts, the gelding was sold and is now trained by Cessnock trainer Jeremy Sylvester. He resumed from an 18 week spell with an impressive 1.14-length third to Royal Tudor at Scone last on April 3.