The Western Racing Association heat is often considered the weakest of the Country Championships, but Adam Hyeronimus feels the form of Westlink can not be overlooked.
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Hyeronimus piloted the Darren Hyde-trained Westlink to a strong heat win at Dubbo Turf Club on February 10 and backed that up by driving the four-year-old to an eye-catching victory in the Diggers Cup at Cowra on Monday.
The win at Cowra saw Westlink firm from a $51 hope into a $26 chance for the $500,000 final at Royal Randwick.
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Those odds are still a long way behind the favourites for the final, some of which have failed to qualify for the event on April 6.
Noble Boy remains the $5 favourite for the final despite missing out on a top two spot in the recent Goulburn heat while Awesome Pluck, on the second line of betting at $11, also missed out at Port Macquarie and will be relying on qualifying via the Wildcard at Muswellbrook on March 24.
"A lot of people say Dubbo isn't the strongest heat of the country ones but it's not what he beat, it's the way he beat them," Hyeronimus said of the earlier win at Dubbo when speaking to Sky Thoroughbred Central.
"He's come here again today and delivered and that will top him off nicely going forward."
Hyeronimus has now piloted the gelding to strong back-to-back wins and the leading jockey feels the wide open at track at Royal Randwick could suit him even better.
There were some concerns about a wide barrier draw in the Diggers Cup, but Hyeronimus got up and across settle towards the front early on and then powered home down the straight to win in dominant fashion.
"He travelled okay (at Cowra) but if he can be a pair or two back at a bigger track like Randwick with a genuine tempo he's going to show a very good turn of foot," Hyeronimus said.
After the win at Cowra, Hyde confirmed the run was Westlink's last before the final at Randwick.
To date, Westlink remains the only qualified horse which has had a second run after his heat.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
