Young trainer Jared Wehlow was quick to thank his father Greg after Daph ‘N’ Alf gave him his biggest win in the $100,000 SCTC 30th Anniversary Cup (1400m) on Saturday.
Daph ‘N’ Alf ($7.50) continued his good recent form when he beat Timeless Prince ($16) by a half length with a long head to Little Brown Horse ($7) third.
Greg Wehlow has trained for many years in country Queensland and relocated to Atherton in the far north of the state last year.
Daph ‘N’ Alf was in his stable but when the gelding’s rating went up he sent him to his son Jared in Rockhampton due to its closer proximity to Brisbane.
“I have had a few Brisbane winners in recent years but this is my biggest win in this area,” Wehlow said.
“We are able to travel down here in a day and we will be heading back home tonight.”
Daph ‘N’ Alf won the Mackay Newmarket at his previous start but it was one of his runs earlier in the winter that boosted Wehlow’s confidence.
“Earlier in the winter he ran second in the Eye Liner at Ipswich behind Smokin’ Joey who won the feature in Melbourne today,” Jared Wehlow said.
Daph ‘N’ Alf is named after owner Graeme McLeod’s parents and Saturday’s win took his prize money over $350,000.
“The horse is starting to get a bit harder to place but I am sure there will be something for him,” said Wehlow, who has had 38 winners on all tracks this season.
Daph `N’ Alf’s victory was a boost for workaholic jockey Kelvin Wharton who routinely travels the state for rides.
“He is a very good horse and he really tries hard in his races,” Wharton said.
Meanwhile, trainer Jack Duncan is considering aiming improving stayer Hot Saga at the Cairns Cup on August 9 after the horse made it two wins on end in the Pryde’s Easifeed Hcp (1800m).
“It is a very long way to go to Cairns but I will have a think about,” Duncan said.
