There were emotional scenes in the Timaru birdcage following the running of the Timaru Cup (1600m) yesterday as the connections of Who Dares Wins waited for their pride and joy to return to the winner's enclosure.
The rugged Iffraaj gelding gave weight and a beating to his rivals off the back of a lengthy spell following a dismal display when finishing last in the Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m) in early August.
While many may have been surprised that the seven-year-old would be at his best on top of the ground, carrying 60kg and having had just a pair of trials to fit him for his mission, those who kept their faith in the Tony and Lyn Prendergast-trained runner were well rewarded, courtesy of a gem of a ride from Samantha Wynne.
On a track that was playing in favour of runners handy to the pace, Wynne bounced Who Dares Wins out of his inside barrier draw to dispute the early lead before settling in the trail behind favourite Ticket To Ride.
Wynne had her charge travelling peaches and cream approaching the home bend but with nowhere to go as he was jammed in a pocket behind outsider Lady Style who took over with 200m to run.
