Trust in a Gust Earns Maiden Group 1

A consistent performer just below the top rungs last season, Trust in a Gust recorded four straight wins at the conditions level from November through January. After three straight defeats, he returned to the winner’s circle at Moonee Valley Aug. 23 before finishing second in the Listed Drummond Golf S. He prepped for this by winning a handicap over course and distance a week ago. Rushing up down the backstretch to travel on the heels of the pacesetter while three-time Group 1 winner Dissident sat two lengths back in fourth, Trust in a Gust took the lead at the top of the lane and was confronted by Dissident at the 200 meter mark. That rival drew even but was unable to wrangle the lead from his stubborn rival, who held on by the narrowest of margins. Jockey Ben Melham lodged a protest, alleging Trust in a Gust interfered with Dissident in the stretch, but that complaint was dismissed by stewards. Trust in a Gust’s trainer Darren Weir, celebrating his first Victorian Group 1, told RacingNetwork.com.au, “He got headed, fought back and stuck his head out at the right time. It’s a great thrill and the people who own him are a great bunch. For me it’s a great thrill to finally train a Group 1 winner in Victoria–it’s taken me a long time.”

Sunday, Caulfield, Australia 
SIR RUPERT CLARKE CHARITY CUP-G1, A$400,000, CAU, 9-28, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:23, gd. 
1–s@#TRUST IN A GUST (AUS), 115, c, 4, by Keep the Faith (Aus) 
     1st Dam: Subtle Breeze, by Storm Cat 
     2nd Dam: Morning Devotion, by Affirmed 
     3rd Dam: Morning Has Broken, by Prince John 
(A$45,000 yrl ‘12 INGPREM) O-D G Speechley, W B 
Thomas, B M Cotching, W E Gribble, L E Hernan, D R 
Langton, P D Speechley, Mrs A V Gribble, Mrs P M 
Hernan, Giddy Up Doris (Mgr: N Gloury), K T F Racing 
(Mgr: D P Stott) & Sunday Knight (Mgr: P K 
Mitchem); B-A Sangster (Aus); T-Darren Weir; 
J-Damian Lane. A$240,000. Lifetime Record: 
16-9-4-1, A$865,650. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click 
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 
2–Dissident (Aus), 128, c, 4, Sebring (Aus)–Diana’s 
Secret (Aus), by Anabaa. (A$210,000 yrl ‘12 
MMGCYS) O-P G Moody, One For The Boys 
Syndicate, O P Egan, Wheninrome Syndicate, Mrs A 
Hunt, S J Hunt, Mrs C A Corcoran, Eaglerise 
Syndicate, R K Hamer, J A Mazzarella & M 
Notarfrancesco; B-Widden Stud Australia Pty Ltd 
(Aus); T-Peter Moody. A$72,000. 
3–Bull Point (Aus), 115, c, 4, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–Rose 
of Cimmaron (Aus), by Bite the Bullet. (A$960,000 
yrl ‘12 MMGCYS) O-Coolmore (Mgr: Mrs S Magnier), 
Emmaroo Bloodstock (Mgr: Mrs C J Murray), R 
McClure, Mrs B M McClure, Ingham Racing (Mgr: Ms 
L J Ingham) & Selworthy Enterprises Pty Ltd (Mgr: P 
C Barnett); B-I K Smith (Aus); T-Chris Waller. 
A$36,000. 
Margins: SHD, 1 3/4. Odds: 5.00, 5.50, 9.00. 
Also Ran: Sweet Idea (Aus), Cluster (Aus), Late Charge (Aus), Akavoroun (Aus), Atlante (Aus), Rhythm to Spare (NZ), Gig (Aus), Alma’s Fury (Aus), A Time For Julia (Aus), Speediness (Aus), Sistine Demon (Aus). 
Click for the Racing Post result or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.