Drop Of Something scores dogged win in Whangarei Gold Cup

Rugged customer Drop Of Something gave none of his rivals an excuse as he sat outside the speed and proved too tough in the feature event at Ruakaka on Saturday, the ITM/GIB Whangarei Gold Cup (2100m).

The Wayne Hillis and Reece Cole-prepared six-year-old had been building to another career victory with a pair of thirds before finishing close-up in fourth behind impressive Ellerslie winner Boxmoss at his most recent run.

In an even contest headed by track specialist Fly My Wey, apprentice Hayley Hassman had her charge up alongside pacemaker Bosch as the pair niggled away at each other throughout the contest.

Bosch and rider Sam McNab tried to kick away rounding the turn but Drop Of Something was immediately on the scene and took over early in the run home before battling strongly to the line to hold out Quick Fire and Fly My Wey by more than a length at the line.

Cole was quick to praise Hassman for the ride.

“It was a good ride by Hayley as she used her initiative to go forward and sit outside (the speed) as they walked along most of the way,” Cole said.

“I think he deserves that as he hasn’t won since last year but has been racing in some good company.

“When he gets the sting out of the ground and 2100m, it is his go.

“He will go the Taumarunui Cup (25 July) next and then have a little let off as we might try and target the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) as it seems like two miles won’t be a worry for him.”

Hassman was delighted with the win, her third on the day and 51st in her career to date.

“He loves these sand-based tracks and he had been set up perfectly for the race,” she said.

“It was a game effort to do the work he did and still finish it off like that.

“He loves a good dogfight and when he heard them coming, he dug deep.”

Bred by the late Emma Evans and racing under the Evans Breeding Ltd banner, Drop Of Something is a son of the Don Eduardo mare Nothing Moore. He has now won nine of his 56 starts, with another 15 placings, including finishing third in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m), and has earned more than $321,000 in prizemoney.