Watadeel gives Hickmott a fourth Darwin Cup

Michael Hickmott celebrated his fourth victory in the Darwin Cup, but it came with the runner few punters expected after Watadeel caused an upset at Fannie Bay.

Starting at $16 with leading betting apps Australia, Watadeel produced a dominant staying performance to capture the $220,000 feature over 2050 metres under Zac Spain.

Hickmott, who began his training career in Darwin, saddled three runners in the race, including favourite Stormageddon ($4.40), who finished seventh, and Jimi Hendrix ($12), who crossed the line in ninth.

Recently turned seven, Watadeel joined Hickmott’s stable in March after previous stints with Annabel and Rob Archibald and Phillip Stokes.

Following four runs in South Australia, the gelding was sent north, where two lead-up performances over 1300 metres and 1600 metres set him up perfectly for the rise to Cup distance.

Watadeel scored by 1.83 lengths over Chris Nash-trained Rematch, while Hadouken finished a gallant third as he attempted to claim a third consecutive Darwin Cup.

“I said all week this horse was forgotten about. Nathan Bennett and the Bennett Racing crew said don’t worry about running in the cup and I said, ‘no, we’ve got him right’,” an emotional Hickmott told Sky Racing.

“It means the world to have my family (here). That is the best.”

The victory added to Hickmott’s previous Darwin Cup successes with General Market (2007), Activation (2009) and Canny Ballard (2016).