Worth $500,000, the VRC Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) at Flemington on Oaks Day was the second richest race on the program and victory went to five year-old So You Think gelding Do You Reckon, bringing a pedigree update for a talented Shalaa (IRE) colt entered for the Magic Millions 2YO’s in Training Sale next week.
Trained by Julius Sandhu and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Do You Reckon was a good second at Bendigo at his previous start, but made a quantum leap to win this assignment by half a length at 25-1.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Series is run exclusively for country trainers licensed in Victoria who do not have a metropolitan base nationwide.
The $1.3 million series featured eight $100,000 heats at Murtoa, Cranbourne, Hamilton, Horsham, Seymour, Geelong, Sale and Bendigo, with the first two horses home in each race eligible to run on Oaks Day in the $500,000 race.
"To let down and hit the line the way he did, it's a big thrill, a special moment," said Sandhu, who was elated having posted his first victory at Flemington after taking out his licence in 2018.
"The prizemoney side of it hasn't really sunk in. I'm not thinking too much about that at the minute," he said.
"It's a special feeling to work hard with a horse like that. He's had such a big campaign and to put it all together on a day like today, it's such a big thrill.
"The team at home are tireless, they work so hard every day to make sure that the horses are in good shape.
"It's a massive, massive thrill and privilege to train for Lofty Thoroughbreds, the Lofitis family are just wonderful to train for and they give you all the support you need. It's always about the horse. To win this for them is very special."
An $85,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase from the Baramul Stud draft for Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Do You Reckon started his career with Mike Moroney registering one win from his first four starts before transferring to Julius Sandhu.
He now has the overall record of six wins and five placings from 25 starts with prizemoney topping $425,000.
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Do You Reckon is a half-brother to Group II winner Riva de Lago being one of eight winners from eight foals to race from Group II placed Ashenti.
At the upcoming Magic Millions 2YO’s in Training Sale O’Gorman Racing Stables will offer a close relation to Do You Reckon in Lot 43, a colt by exciting first season sire Shalaa (IRE) from Riva Romance, who is a half-sister to Do You Reckon.
The colt breezed in 10.58 second and his sire Shalaa very nearly had a second Australian stakes-winner at Flemington when two year-old filly Nice for What missed narrowly in the Group II VRC Ottawa Stakes on debut.
Do You Reckon is another good winner this season for So You Think, who is riding high in tenth place on the Australian General Sires List by earnings.
