Wild Willow rewards Stapleton's persistence with Cup glory

Wild Willow and harness racing trainer Warren Stapleton combined for a third Cups win in Sunday’s $20,000 Waimate Cup at Phar Lap Raceway.

 

The six-year-old Art Major gelding had been footing it with New Zealand Cup contenders, including a fourth to The Lazarus Effect in recent months, making Sunday’s win not at all surprising for trainer Warren Stapleton.

“I know if he was on his game he’d be hard to beat,” reflected Stapleton. 

Driven by Jonny Cox, Wild Willow began fast from his 10 metre backmark, and, with a bit of luck, was taken to the lead by Cox within the first 400 metres. From there Cox and Wild Willow controlled proceedings, putting the field to the sword at the 400, holding off a very game Shepherd’s Delight by one length, with a three-and-a-half-length gap back to the unlucky Iron Brigade in third, brushing home in 56 seconds for the final 800 metres.

“Jonny drove him to suit. I thought he was going to get beat halfway up the straight, but he dug deep to hold on.” 

That was Wild Willow’s sixth career win from 28 starts, and has now amassed over $74,000 in stake earnings.

WILD WILLOW REPLAY

Wild Willow began his career with Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen, winning his maiden at the Kaikoura meeting in 2022 before going amiss.

“Greg Hope actually had him after Purdon, but there were still problems. He’s a big heavy horse and can hit the ground hard, so we always have our work cut out to stay on top of him. It hasn’t been easy.” 

The Waimate Cup will now sit on the mantelpiece alongside the 2024 Oamaru Cup and the 2025 Marlborough Cup both of which Wild Willow won under the guidance of Stapleton.

“We aren’t too sure where he will go next, so we will see how he pulls up and make a plan.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand