Horse Racing
22 October, 2024
Dublin Journal wins Horsham Cup
Race favourite Dublin Journal has won the $60,000 Millers Horsham Cup, defeating Murtoa Cup winner Station One and Lottaroc in a photo finish.
Station One took the early lead, with Commander Harry behind it and Lottaroc outside it, and it stayed that way for the entire 2100m race.
Kersley slotted Dublin Journal three back along the inside, found a gap before the turn, and could come three wide at the top of the straight, where Kersley urged him home by a nose ahead of the brave Station One with Lottaroc in the middle.
Kersley rode a double at Bendigo on Saturday and told Racing.com that he was wary of going to the lead too early after the race.
"I'm glad I was able to do the horse justice, and out there, I thought I had it, but when I was weighing in, I was shocked when I saw how close it was," Kersley said.
"Station One is a very competitive horse, and I was conscious not to head it too early as I have done that in the past, and it has fought back when I was on other horses, so it was critical not to head it too early.
"From the 600m mark, I thought I was the winner."
Ben, Will and J.D Hayes trains Dublin Journal and has won seven races in 32 starts. Another horse of theirs, A Book of Days, saluted for Patrick Moloney in race five.
Linda Meech also rode a triple on the day: Kings Valley in race one, Cash Converter in race two and Naval Academy in race six.
There was another thrilling finish in the last race of the day featuring Kersley with his mount Willmott dead-heating with Valois ridden by Patrick Moloney.