Rachael Murray returns to the scene of her greatest triumph with a near full book of rides for Friday’s Gundy Cup meeting at Scone.
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Murray booted home four winners at the last Scone meeting nearly two weeks ago following a move back to the town where she saw out the majority of her apprenticeship.
Two of those winners were for her former master Greg Bennett and she will ride three of his six runners at this meeting.
However, she will not be on Conquer for Bennett in the cup. That ride has gone to Rachael King who was aboard the six year old when he stormed home from last on the turn to run second to stable mate Mossman’s Gold, ridden by Murray, at the last Scone meeting.
“Rachael (King) did nothing wrong on him so there is no point in changing jockeys,” Bennett said.
“His racing history shows he will handle soft going but I don’t think he will handle it if it is very wet.
“However the cup is only the second race so the track will not be too cut up.
“Rachael might be able to get wider and find some better going with a firmer footing.”
Bennett and Murray combine with Cool Baby in the first race, the Trusting @ Turangga Farm 3YO Maiden, Taste Of Money (Dream Ahead @ Emirates Park Benchmark 70) and Ruffy Road (Yarraman Park Class Two).
“Cool Baby ran well on debut when sixth at Taree and I think the step up to 1300 metres will suit her,” Bennett said.
“Taste Of Money handles soft going and the 1600 metres will not worry her while Ruffy Road ran a cheeky race first up here at the last meeting and the 1400 metres will be more suitable.
“Rachael also has some nice rides for other stables so I think she could easily ride a couple of winners.”
The interesting runner in the cup is the imported Irish galloper Queensberry Rules, one of two runners for Jeremy Sylvester.
The lightly raced seven year old was brought to Australia in late 2014 and given to Gai Waterhouse to train after a lengthy spell.
The horse trialed twice for her in June for a second at Randwick and a fifth at Warwick Farm before being switched to Sylvester.
Queensberry Rules won three races in Great Britain including his first two, both over 1600 metres at Kempton Park and Sandown Park and later another over 2080 metres at York.
At his last start, in September 2014, he ran second last in a field of 31 at Newmarket. Sylvester’s other runner is Collar having his second run back from a spell.