El Galo Claims Another Country Cup

El Galo during his 2008 Warrnambool Cup victory
during his 2008 Warrnambool Cup victory
Former Queensland galloper El Galo ($2.40) had to do it tough, but did when winning the final running of the Group 2 Gold Coast Cup (457m) last Wednesday night.

El Galo (Where's Pedro-) scored by two and a half lengths over fast finishing Big Moose ($13.50) with a nose to early leader Yikes ($37.80) in third, time for the final a fast 25.66.

The winner is raced and trained by Seona Hood partner of leading Victorian trainer Jason Thompson who was also on track for the race.

Ironically Seona bought El Galo from Dave Robartson who owns and trains third placegetter Yikes.
It was El Galo's 24th victory in 40 starts.

Thompson said immediately after the race that El Galo would miss the Sprint series in Victoria but be aimed at The Black Top at The Gardens in NSW.

“That allows him to be seeded into the if he wins,” said Jason.

Eventually he will be aimed at the Topgun at The Meadows late in October.

Thompson was in awe of the run by El Galo.

“A lot of people think he is just one dimensional having to lead to win,” he said.

“But tonight's run showed he isn't.”

El Galo was away well but trapped outside a couple of runners early and then charged into second behind Yikes before the turn.

He raced to the front on the home turn and went on to win well.

Thompson has already mapped out a stud career for El Galo when he finishes racing.

Seona bought the dog on the eve of the semi-finals early in the year.

The son of Where's Pedro-Roxy Reason has enjoyed an outstanding year so far winning the Bendigo, Warrnambool and Bulli Cups plus he also was runner-up in the Australian Cup.

After the placed runners the field finished in the following order 4th Midnight Gambler ($42.30), 5th Jungle Green ($42.20), 6th ($10.40), 7th ($2.20) and Bogie Blaze ($27.20).

El Galo is a blue dog whelped November 2005 by Where's Pedro from Roxy Reason (Malawi's Prince x Playground) raced by Seona Hood and trained by Jason Thompson he has raced 40 times for 24 wins and 10 placings, adding the Cup's first prize of $25,000 his overall stake earnings went to $174,870.

The club's Cup has been up and down in prizemoney over the years they hosted the $70,000 Gold Coast Cup in July 1995 ($30,000-to-the-winner), and it went to an all time high of $35,000 to the winner when won by Hot Shot in 1998. But like many clubs in Queensland they have done it tough from time to time and maintaining that extremely high prizemoney levels seems a thing of the past.

However after a couple of years at $20,000 to the winner the race was again elevated to Group 2 status this year with $25,000 to the winner. The Gold Coast Cup was at its most famous creating nation-wide interest went won in back to back fashion by superstar in 95-96. It has been won by some star performers over the years. below is the past winners.

Listed below is the Gold Coast Cup's full honour roll :
1978 Drum Brae, 1979 Secret Academy, 1980 Camaieu, 1981 Bianca Lee, 1982 Carnival Melody, 1983 Mathew's World, 1984 Jatasha's Star, 1985 Sharyn's Vogue, 1986 Fifi She's Not, 1987 Whip Tip, 1988 Riviera Chris, 1989 West Cape, 1990 Key Dancer, 1991 Wallowa Flash, 1992 Tickety Boo, 1993 Star Title, 1994 Flying Amy, 1995 Flying Amy, 1996 Sleepy Saint, 1997 Roanokee, 1998 Hotshot, 1999 Faithful Hawk, 2000 Ngarutao, 2001 Sydney Tiger, 2002 Mr Faithful, 2003 Elite State, 2004 Lethal Weapon, 2005 Magic Trance, 2006 Vapour Whirl and 2007 Buckingham Chuck.

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