Celebrations after Tommy Tucker’s victory in the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup at Riccarton on Saturday were a little muted by an unfortunate post-race incident.
“We had a bit of trouble when he ate some straw in the swab box and half-choked, but hopefully he’ll be alright,” said co-breeder and part-owner Brian Anderton, who trains the son of Gallant Guru with his son Shane.
Tommy Tucker’s success in the Coca-Cola-sponsored event capped an excellent campaign for the gelding, who had previously posted Listed wins in the Timaru and Easter Cups and finished runner-up in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Handicap.
The chestnut was ridden as usual on Saturday by Anderton’s grandson Jacob Lowry and he brought the horse with a well-timed finish from back in the field.“It’s a great win and a nice ride and the horse has never let anyone down,” Anderton said.
“It’s been a kind race to us. We won it twice with Inferno and Burton, Random Chance and Flight Point won it.“Dozen Roses, who I owned and leased out to my friend, the late Ned Thistoll, also won it and she was by Random Chance.”
Tommy Tucker won the latest edition of the Cup by a long head from Bloodstream and they finished clear of Benzini and Saint Kitt.
