He may be trained in Adelaide but Not Usual Glorious (Fiorente) stamped himself as a star of Victoria’s country cup circuit with victory in Sunday’s Swan Hill Cup (1600m).
Travis Doudle and Beau Mertens combined to land the iconic feature with the six-year-old, who settled on speed and showed his customary tenacity to fend off Keats and Prince of Helena in the A$175,000 race.
Not Usual Glorious’ win – the 13th of his career – followed a runner-up placing in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) and a win in the Terang Cup (2150m). The son of Fiorente also won last year’s Benalla Cup and the Apsley Cup at Edenhope.
Doudle said the horse was a trainer’s dream.
“He’s a marvel,” Doudle said.
“He’s just so tough and honest and the traveling doesn’t bother him one iota.
“To come back from a Warrnambool Cup – he got beat but he ran well in second – and freshen up to win this, it’s a real credit to the horse.
“He’s just so versatile.”
Not Usual Glorious was previously trained in New Zealand by Shane Crawford where he registered three wins from nine starts before Doudle sourced the stayer with help of New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook.
