Wo Guk will never reach the heights of his stablemate The Autumn Sun but he will be remembered for winning one of the most strangely run races in a long time.
Sent out a $4.80 chance, Wu Gok came from last at the 600m to beat Fighting Teo ($3.80) in a slog over the Gold Coast 2400m.
The time of two minutes 38.6 seconds was about 12 seconds outside the course record but it was hardly surprising after Fighting Teo set a slow tempo in the first 1400m of the race.
Outsider Errol whipped around the field to put some pace into the race and then Fighting Teo took the lead again on the home turn and just failed to hold off Wu Gok by a half head.
Wu Gok, who races in the same colours as The Autumn Sun, gave trainer Chris Waller the first two races at the Gold Coast.
Waller’s Queensland manager Paul Shailer praised Michael Cahill for a patient ride on Wu Gok.
“The staying races up here are usually run at a slow pace but not that slow. It was a good solid effort on what is a very heavy track,” Shailer said.
Cahill said he had elected to stick to the rails until the straight when he pulled out to chase Fighting Teo.
“The going is better out wide but at this stage the day the lengths you lose getting out there are saved by sticking to the fence,” Cahill said.
