Kent Rattray always fancied finally getting his hands on the Doug Martin Danbury Park Cup one day.
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But it would only take a fleeting glance towards the stands to realise the Scottsdale trainer’s enthusiasm for the prized 2698m race.
He was spotted shouting hard at Riverboat Jasper, as their partnership grew even further with the thrilling win on Sunday.
The gelding had first only taken just six weeks to pay dividends, Rattray quickly training an Easter Cup win for the Campbell stable.
“Since he has come to our place, he hasn’t done anything but make our life a joy,” Rattray said.
Racing over the same trip, Riverboat Jasper looked the most unlikely winner on Sunday turning off the back straight.
But driver Johnny Walters timed Riverboat Jasper’s run to near perfection amid a raft of challengers.
That was made even more remarkable considering it was his first race since June in what proved a masterful training performance.
“It’s a great thrill to win this race,” Rattray said.
“I have been here a few occasions and seen all the trophies given out, and I’ve always thought I’d like to win one of them.
“This horse has just given us a thrill over the last nine months that it’s been unbelievable.”
Resurgent Spirit had been heavily backed to bounce back just six weeks running from a five-month layoff.
The Cup favourite started 40m behind the frontrunners in the stand start where he carried five wins and three places from 11 starts amid 27 wins from 47 overall starts.
And with Pachacuti scratched, the gelding’s chances looked better still when bolting from the backmarker out wide entering the last turn.
Truly Blissfull had led from the start and after fading mid-race looked the goods again entering the last lap.
But Resurgent Spirit was the first to challenge before Riverboat Jasper flew past ahead of I’m Barney Rubble to the line.
Top pacer The Bettormack showed his liking for the mobile race in a strong win in the 2200m Jubilee Bakery Stakes earlier in the evening.
The Bettormack showed its ability to run from behind in a rare occasion for trainer-driver Todd Rattray.
Lake Eyre had led the race early before the gelding stormed home to register his 11th win in 31 starts.