The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable were hoping to be winners over the jumps at Warrnambool on Tuesday with Geelong Cup winner Runaway, but the exciting jumper had to play second fiddle to a blueblood in the $135,000 Sovereign Resort Hurdle (3200m).
The five year-old Manhattan Rain gelding had won his only two previous starts over the jumps and was favourite for this assignment.
He led all the way before going down narrowly on the line to tough Kiwi bred Gobstopper, who is trained by jumping legend Eric Musgrove.
A seven year-old gelding by Tavistock from Bagalollies, Gobstopper won the Group III New Zealand Cup at 3200m in 2017 and then came to Australia to go jumping in late 2019 when he switched from his new Zealand trainer and co-owner Andrew Campbell to Musgrove.
Gobstopper has won 10 of 42 starts earning nearly $400,000 in prizemoney.
It’s certainly been a big week for Bagalollies and you can read more about this New Zealand Broodmare of the Year here.