Promising apprentice Donovan Cooper made good use of his 2kg claim as he guided the Christchurch-trained Treybon to a clear cut victory in Saturday’s Vernon & Vazey 0800 Truck Parts Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m).
Cooper who made the move south last year when transferring his apprenticeship to Treybon’s trainer Ross Beckett, has been in white hot form in recent weeks and produced a brave effort on the seven-year-old son of Sweynesse as he took the initiative at the 600m to improve quickly on the outer to be up challenging for the lead rounding the home bend.
Treybon quickly assumed control and despite being challenged hard over the final 200m by the late closing Sprocket Rocket he held that runner out by half a length with Smooth Operator fighting resolutely on the inner to cling to third.
Owners the Can West 7 syndicate were roaring the house down as Cooper made his way back to the winners’ enclosure, with the twenty five-year-old sporting a beaming smile as he acknowledged them enthusiastically.
“It means an absolute ton as it took a lot of courage for Ross to bring him here, although I felt after his last run in open class he was definitely up to it,” Cooper said.
“Ross knows he has the ability as it is just about sorting out his niggles and I thought we had him spot on today.
“He beat a real classy field and it is onwards and upwards from here.
“I did get stuck wide but luckily he was a good trooper and didn’t pull like he normally does. He settled and when I asked him the question he delivered nicely.
“It’s been a lot of hard work to get him to settle in his races and to see it pay off like that is just fantastic.”
Cooper also paid tribute to New Zealand training legend Peter Williams who has been mentoring him and helping him to develop his talents in the saddle.
“I’d say I’m going good but I’m still not where I want to be,” he said.
“Mr Williams and I both want me to be inch perfect as I’d like to go on a similar career path like James (McDonald) but right now I’m happy with my progress.”
Beckett purchased Treybon as a two-year-old for $20,000 out of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale in 2019 and he has now had five wins and eight placings from his 31 starts.
His dam is the well related Macchiato who won four of her nine career starts before heading to the matrons paddock. Included in his extended family are 2004 Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) runner-up Filante Etoile and multiple Group One winner Star Dancer.
