Winter staying revelation Wu Gok gave trainer Chris Waller his seventh win in Friday’s $160,000 Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m).
Prior to Friday’s victory, seven of Wu Gok’s eight wins had come on rain affected ground including his latest win in last Saturday’s Group III Premier’s Cup at Rosehill.
A good (4) rated track at Wyong didn’t stop punters supporting the in-form galloper sending Wu Gok out as the $4.80 favourite for the central coast feature and James McDonald played his part, guiding the horse into the box-seat as the field left the home straight the first time.
Wu Gok travelled sweetly behind a fair gallop set by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott pair of Stampede and Hush Writer before McDonald made his move 600m from home.
Wu Gok moved up to challenge the leaders with his fitness levels proving too much for his opposition, drawing clear over the later stages.
“He beat me last Saturday and I learnt a bit from that,” McDonald told Sky Racing. “I let him stride and he stayed on really.
“Great effort by the team to back him up and run so well.”
Wu Gok defeated a brave Hush Writer ($16) to win by 1-1/4 lengths with a nose back to the winner’s stablemate Vaucluse Bay ($15) in third.
Wu Gok’s ninth win from 32 starts, the fourth of his campaign, took the six-year-old son of Sebring’s earnings to more than $570,000. – Racenet.com.au
