Fly For Trix dominant in the Waterloo Cup
The prestigious Waterloo Cup was run on Sunday at Virginia, with a handy crowd on hand to enjoy the beautiful conditions and quality racing. Normally a sought after race for many South Australian trainers, the $3000 to the winner final brought together some quality chasers with the likes of All Show, John Dutton and Andy Time all showing their ability on the grass straight. The event was eventually taken out by local star Fly For Trix, who continued his unbelievable form. The fourth and final course of the day came down to All Show and Fly For Trix, with the latter ultimately proving too classy. Fly For Trix is trained by the very astute Jane Mcnicholl and the Waterloo Cup is a race that she had been chasing for a long time.
“It was great! It was a real thrill, I’ve been coursing for 40 years, right back in the days when we had regular meetings at Mintaro and Aldinga and I think I won all the features at Mintaro like the Derby, Oaks and the LVA but I never managed to win a Waterloo Cup, so it’s something I have wanted to win for 40 years.” said Mcnicholl
“It’s been a long held ambition and I think coursing is great for the dogs,”
“It was very satisfying.”
Jane was understandably quite pleased with taking out the race, whilst she paid great respect to the benefits of coursing.
“I don't understand why a lot more trainers don't go. It's really good, particularly for the young dogs because they get out and have some experience without getting knocked around in fields and tripped up on bends. I always start my young dogs coursing, if it’s the right time of year. I would far rather take them coursing than take them trialling and racing. It helps build their confidence, they are rewarded by catching the lure at the end they become accustomed to strange people and all of that sort of thing. It’s also a nice relaxing day out.”
Fly For Trix certainly brought his ‘A game’ on Sunday, just a few days after taking on the South Australian match race series. After flying in his first course, Fly For Trix then broke the 15 second barrier in his third course, before winning the final.
“He went well. We didn’t get a time for his first course but he went really well, you could see he was running a good time. Then he ran close to the best of the day in his third course, he ran under 15 seconds, which very few dogs break 15 seconds. In the fourth course, the last one for the day, he ran 15.20 and ran well.”
Fly For Trix is unlikely to head to the upcoming Gawler Cup series, with Jane keen to give her brilliant chaser a couple of weeks off, before looking around for a race for him.
“Gawler track doesn’t really suit because he’s not a good beginner, he’s got this funny habit of sitting back in the boxes, so he misses the start and Gawler is a track where you really need to be a fast beginner.”
“He’s eligible for masters next year. He will have a few weeks off after yesterday's effort, he was a bit tired this morning. Then I will look for suitable races for him.”
A great training effort all round for Jane and another accolade to Fly For Trix who has enjoyed enviable success on the track.
