Tough as nails gelding Paths Of Glory has scored an overdue win, fighting tenaciously to stave off favourite Zaaki and claim the J R A Cup at Randwick.
From an inside draw, Rachel King gave the six-year-old a perfect run behind the speed and presented him at the right time to score.
Co-trainer Richard Freedman said King’s knowledge of the horse was key, as was Paths Of Glory’s will to win.
“Rachel knows him now and knows you’ve got to push him into an early position, when he’s there he will start to travel,” Freedman said.
“The old bloke, he’s as genuine as they come. He’s a real old beauty and I’m happy for the owners and for him. He gives his absolute best. He is a lovely horse to train.”
Paths Of Glory ($7.50) packed too many punches for Zaaki ($3.20 fav) to score by a short neck with Hang Man ($9.50) closing from the back to finish the same margin away third.
Freedman said connections would consider a trip to Brisbane for the winter carnival where the Doomben Cup would be among the options.
“He is so resilient that I think we could take him to Brisbane and there might be a couple of nice races up there for him,” Freedman said.
“He’s got himself down in the weights and I think he might give them something to beat up there, provided he pulls up well here.”
