Justin Huxtable scored a notable victory when he partnered the Tom Button trained Rogue Bear to a Cairns Cup success at Cannon Park on Saturday.
It was a triumph of sorts for Huxtable, given all that he has gone through over the last twelve months … from being stood down from riding by Queensland Stewards last October, to being reinstated in November, but with certain conditions imposed … which included a ban from riding anywhere north of Rockhampton … to having all conditions attached to his license removed eight months later at the start of this season.
These directives were activated by stewards in relation to a police charge which was pending against Huxtable … a charge which was ultimately discontinued.
So, without making light of any side of that story, now it was a question of ‘moving on’ for Huxtable and a Cairns Cup win underlines the fact that is exactly what Huxtable has done.
Rogue Bear, a former Kris Lees trained galloper, was having his second start for the Tom Button stable, and he showed good improvement after finishing unplaced in the Townsville Cup at his previous start.
“It’s an Australian Bloodstock horse. About a month ago I saw him run at Doomben. I gave Jamie (Lovett) of Australian Bloodstock a call. I thought he was the right horse for the Cups up here … Townsville and here,” explained Button talking to HRO’s Darren Winningham.
“He went to Townsville. Didn’t have a lot of luck. I really liked him up here. I thought he had come on since that run … and Huxy gave him a great ride. It’s a big thrill.”
After not being that well away at the break, Huxtable had to be patient early and he duly bided his time for a while, but he was already getting busy halfway down the back straight when Rogue Bear raced more than ten lengths off the lead.
A bold forward move in the long sweep to the home turn had Rogue Bear tracking Kipling’s Journey, who had earlier also been racing alongside Rogue Bear towards the rear of the field, right up into the leading line, and these two runners then both had to maintain a sustained run to the line if they were to have a say in the outcome.
There would be no ‘give’ in either of them all the way up the home straight … and it turned into an intense two-way contest.
Rogue Bear headed Kipling’s Journey narrowly early in the straight only for the latter to come again and return the compliment.
Neither horse would go away and it came down to a driving, stride-for-stride finish inside the last 100m where, arguably, it was Huxtable’s strength in the saddle and vigorous riding style which helped Rogue Bear’s push to victory.
Apprentice Mckenzie Apel similarly rode a great race aboard the game runner-up Kipling’s Journey for co-trainers Peter and Will Hulbert. It was a superb effort from the young rider.
