The 2016 Carlton & United Breweries Carlton Mid Katherine Cup has been won in spectacular fashion by five-year-old gelding Statue of Warriors.
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An emotional trainer, Darwin’s Kerry Petrick, said after the race she wasn’t even sure of the exact margin, but believed Statue of Warriors won by around seven lengths.
She said the win was particularly gratifying as Statue of Warriors had had a pretty ordinary carnival in the lead up to the Cup.
She said while he had run quite a few close races he had also had time out after he came down with a virus.
“I’ve never won a Katherine Cup before, and to win with this horse, who is really ready for the paddock, is wonderful,” Ms Petrick said.
Co-owner and stablehand Ruth Murphy described the race as a “beautiful run”.
“It was a beautiful run for this horse today – I’m so proud,” she said.
But it was also a special day for Ruth, as it was her 50th birthday.
Friends and relatives had turned up at the Katherine Races to surprise her, and the Cup win was the icing on the cake.
Jockey Felicia Bergstrand said the horse made a very good start and she felt confident throughout the race.
The crowd roared as the winner left the others far behind to fly across the finish line.