After a string of black type placings, Luncies finally broke through for his first victory in over 12 months after he took out the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday afternoon.
The Kris Lees-trained galloper was a well backed favourite, jumping as the $2.20 favourite with online bookmakers even though he hasn’t won in such a long time.
The son of Iffraaj was coming off the back of a very good performance in the Group 2 The Q22, so with him dropping back in class, many punters wanted to be with him, and he didn’t disappoint.
During the race, Spirit Ridge set a solid tempo for the six-horse field to follow and as the field rounded the home turn with 400m to go, there was only one runner you wanted to be on and that was the winner.
Luncies loomed up under a hold, and even though he took a few strides to put Spirit Ridge away, Tim Clark was very kind to him over the final 200m and he careered away for a dominant 2.25 length victory.
2023 Tattersall’s Cup Replay – Luncies
With Kris Lees being in Sydney, Mel Eggleston represented the stable in the post-race interview.
“He’s a smart horse,” Eggleston said of the winner.
“He’s too smart but today Kris and Tim had a plan not to let him go too early and it has come to fruition.
“He put them away pretty good.”
Eggleston confirmed that the stable will now aim at The Big Dance next preparation.
“It is worth a bit of money so they’ll probably give him a freshen up and the Scone Cup over a mile and that should suit him.”
Tim Clark brought up a race-to-race double with his win on Luncies after he rode Ekaterina in the previous race, and he spoke post-race about the win.
“Another one whose form has been great – he hasn’t put in a bad one – but he hasn’t been able to win,” Clark said.
“He was really well suited there at the weight scale and just wanted to be patient on him not to get there too soon.
“I wanted to be the last one off the bridle and his turn-of-foot was too good for them.
“I think that Kris and the connections would be happy to get him the win and give him a bit of confidence.”
Luncies is currently the equal second favourite at $11 in The Big Dance futures market with online betting sites.