Yet another romp for Winning Rupert in Saturday's Group Three Vo Rogue Plate at Eagle Farm to keep his record at a perfect five for five while bagging a pot of gold that dwarfs most Group 1 races in Australia.
With his record-breaking performance, Winning Rupert earned a $500,000 bonus on top of the $96,000 winner's cheque.
And there is more to come as the son of Written Tycoon is an odds-on favourite for the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.
With regular rider Jeff Lloyd being very kind in the closing stages, Winning Rupert defeated River Racer (Hidden Dragon) by three lengths with Billy The Kid (Savabeel) a further one and a quarter length back in third. His time of 1.15.07 seconds for the 1300 metres took1.68s off the previous best on the newly laid track.
Despite being trained in Sydney, all of Winning Rupert's five starts have been in Queensland with the latest three being part of the Queensland Summer Sprint Crown, earning his connections the rich bonus.
Speaking from Canterbury, trainer Bjorn Baker said the win was a relief.
"I've locked in a couple of renovations for the house and I didn't know how I was going to pay for them," Baker said.
"It was great to see him continue that vein of form. He's a nice horse
"He's still got to go up against some A-graders but it was a good win and hopefully he comes through well for the Magic Millions."
A $67,500 Magic Millions March Yearling purchase by his trainer from the Eliza Park International draft, Winning Rupert was bred by Wicklow Lodge in Queensland.
He is the best of three winners from metro winning Show a Heart mare Winaura, who comes from a family barren of black-type in five generations.
Winaura has a 2yo I Am I Invincible filly named Matryoshkano and foaled a colt by Sizzling on September 12 after slipping to Spirit Of Boom the previous year.
Winning Rupert is one of 18 stakes-winners sired by the high-flying Written Tycoon, who 12 lots at Magic Millions, six at Inglis Classic and 30 at Inglis Premier.
