An astute placement by trainer Clare Cunningham has reaped its reward with Segenhoe causing an upset in the staying race at Randwick.
Sent out at $19 in Saturday’s Bob Ingham Handicap (2400m) Segenhoe was taken to the front early by Tim Clark and never relinquished his advantage, beating Vaucluse Bay ($6.50) by 1-1/4 lengths.
Cunningham admitted she was coming to the end of her tether with Segenhoe and was considering advising the owners he might be better placed in Queensland.
“He has been a frustrating horse,” Cunningham said.
“He had a bad suspensory injury and was off for a year. He hasn’t been able to get to the front in his races and I was scratching my head what to do with him.
“I thought about Queensland because I didn’t think he was Saturday grade here.
“But after I galloped him on Tuesday I thought he deserved his chance and he made me think outside the box.
“He got a soft enough lead that he was able to finish it off.”
The Brent Stanley-trained Red Alto ($7) finished half a length behind the runner-up after gaining his slice of fame last start when he beat a field of stayers from the Chris Waller stable.
Cunningham’s other runner, the $4 favourite Just Shine, finished fourth on Saturday.
