Home town hero Mathew Cahill saddles up to attempt his seventh win in Sunday’s $20,000 Cowra Cup aboard Beaveroo.
The Cahill name has been synonymous with the Cowra Cup (1800m), first staged in 1911, since the 1940s.
The 43-year-old jockey’s father Ossie won the 1943 Cup aboard Silent Toy.
Cahill and elder brother Michael have forged successful careers in the saddle, with Mathew still residing in the NSW Central Districts township.
“It’s been a few years since I last won but it would be especially nice to win one with Beaver, (Beaveroo’s trainer Stephen Schofield),” Cahill said.
“I’ve known Beaver for a long while.”
Schofield, who retired as a jockey with over 1000 wins in 1996 and took out a trainer’s licence in 1998, is no stranger to Cowra.
“I used to go there regularly in the 1980s when they had invitation races on,” the Wyong-based 54-year-old said.
“I’ve got fond memories of Cowra, won some races down there.
“To go back Sunday, renew acquaintances and win the Cup would be terrific.”
Beaveroo has been Schofield’s meal ticket since being purchased as a yearling at the Inglis Classic sale in Sydney for $15,000.
The five-year-old gelding has seven wins and 12 placings from 43 starts, earning $174,165.
“He’s been a good horse to me, very good,” Schofield said.
“I considered going to the Gosford Cup but he’s better placed at Cowra.
“This is his ninth run back. He’s earned eight cheques, been a bloody consistent horse.
“He’s had a few excuses for getting beaten lately. The Cup looks the right race for him.”
Beaveroo, who won the Bong Bong cup five starts back carrying 69.5kg, was a last-start five lengths fourth to Jimmy Fortunes over 1600m at Warwick Farm on January 2.
“He’s an honest horse, tries hard and gives 110 per cent,” Schofield said.
“Last start he got galloped on.
“The horse is in good order.”
Cahill, who partnered Beaveroo in the Mudgee Cup on December 2, stuck solid after being offered the ride on Gilgandra Cup winner Dreamwinner.
“(Trainer) Max (Crockett) wasn’t sure if Dreamwinner was going to back up at Cowra and when he rang, I’d already accepted the ride on Beaveroo,” Cahill said.
“He’s an honest horse, a frontrunning horse suited at Cowra.
“If he strikes his best form, and I know Beaver is happy with him, he should be right in the race.
Neil Paine, whose father Reg won the Cowra Cup twice, partners Dreamwinner.
AAP TURF
