The Japanese-breds have been having the time of their lives in Australia of late so when Damian Lane drove A Shin Rook (JPN) through on the rails in Sunday’s $200,000 Listed Seymour Cup (1600m0 it looked a matter of here we go again but this one was destined to be a local victory.
It was the lightly raced 7yo Bel Esprit gelding Admiral's Joker, who much to the delight of punters, came down the outside under Craig Williams to defeat A Shin Rook (JPN) by three-quarters of a length with Chapada a further length back in third.
Trainer Kylie Vella said they had some anxious moments during the week with Admirals’ Joker who was registering his fourth consecutive win.
Admiral's Joker cptures Seymour Cup
He’s an amazing horse. We were a little bit worried he left a bit of tucker last Sunday, he was a bit off and had a few coughs so we were on tenterhooks up until Tuesday night,” Vella said.
“We have done three bloods this week and they were all perfect so we were obviously worried about nothing.
“It’s a joy to have a horse like him in the stable, he makes getting out of bed really easy.
“The ideal would be to take him to the Mackinnon (Stakes) but we will look at the Cantala first but we will speak to Craig and regroup tomorrow. Steve has done all the work with this horse so it’s great for him too.”
Admiral’s Joker was being strapped by his owner/breeder, Seymour committeeman, Frank Butler.
The second foal of the well-related Danehill mare Admiral’s Lady Admiral’s Joker advances his record to 6 wins and 4 seconds from 13 starts with earnings of $403,125.
Admiral’s Lady won eight races in Victoria and her dam Moonstruck (Shirley Heights) is the granddam of the multiple Stakes-paced Viking Turf Belle (Elusive Quality) the dam of the Listed winner Vinland (Sebring).
Admiral’s Lady has a 3yo colt by Toronado (IRE) and a 2yo colt by Brazen Beau. She has not been covered in the past two seasons.
Admiral's Joker becomes the 27th stakes-winner for Sun Stud's evergreen Bel Esprit. The sire of Black Caviar is a prolific sire of winners and looks outstanding value for a proven sire at $11,000.
