Michael Hickmott scores first Murray Bridge Gold Cup as Maracourt leads home stable trifecta

Trainer Michael Hickmott’s dream was realised by not only winning his first Murray Bridge Gold Cup but producing astunning trifecta.

Maracourt storms to victory in the Murray Bridge Gold Cup, beating stablemates Dubai Poet and Alpine Flyer in a Michael Hickmott trifecta. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Trainer Michael Hickmott’s dream was realised by not only winning his first Murray Bridge Gold Cup on Saturday with the ultra-consistent Maracourt ($9.50) but producing a

stunning trifecta with Dubai Poet and Alpine Flyer filling the placings.

And just for good measure Hickmott’s other runner, Riverplate, finished fifth.

Champion jockey Manoel Nunes celebrated his recent move to South Australia with a brilliant ride to win, earlier winning on Hiatus in the opening race, saying Maracourt gave him a “great ride’’.

An emotional Hickmott said the cup result was a credit to his team and the support he has had.

“This is just brilliant. The work we are all doing on the farm is paying off, to have a result like this is so special,’’ Hickmott said.

“I am just so thrilled with that I didn’t realise I had the trifecta but that is so good. The horse has been up for awhile, been out in the paddocks and you can do so much with them.

“It’s a great set up. This is Boof’s (Maracourt) 14th run for the prep, he’s done so well.’’

"It's Gold Cup glory for Maracourt!"

Maracourt runs down the favourite to win the Murray Bridge Gold Cup 🏆@mhbloodstockpic.twitter.com/mvd9fZKCvG

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 12, 2024

Followers of the popular Get On SA program on Channel 78, will know the lighthearted banter between Hickmott and the hosts when a fictitious medal was struck in the horse’s name a month or so ago, usually for horses which run favourite but don’t always find the line first. But since then the horse has discarded the unwanted tag to be one of the state’s most reliable runners.

Hickmott and his charge surely will press for a name change now that his charge has won at nice odds in a Listed race.

“It’s all in good fun, we are all mates. We have a laugh about it.’’

Hickmott enjoyed the win of Fancify to set a track record in a 1200m event, then erupted with joy when Motorace won the final event in a bob-of-the-head finish

The Cup meeting marked the 10-year anniversary since 19-year-old jockey Caitlin Forrest was killed in a race accident at the Bridge (old track).

The club held a one-minute silence in Caitlin’s memory with jockeys in race eight wearing blue armbands as a mark of respect.

"It's Gold Cup glory for Maracourt!"

Maracourt runs down the favourite to win the Murray Bridge Gold Cup 🏆@mhbloodstockpic.twitter.com/mvd9fZKCvG

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 12, 2024

Nunes wasted little time acclimatising to his South Australian surrounds by steering the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Hiatus ($3.80) to victory in the opening race for two year olds over 900m.

Nunes, who relocated to SA this week after finishing runner-up in the Singapore jockeys’ premiership on October 5, sat outside the early leader Meisho before winning well, the duo gapping the other runners.

Trainer Andrew Gluyas has a very promising member of his stable in Watchme Win after an effortless win in a heat of the Riziz series over 1100m.

Setting just off the speed and navigating a wide barrier (in from 18 after scratchings), the son of Irish horse Harry Angel/Watchmespin made it two wins from four starts, after an unlucky third the previous start.

Jockey Matthew Chadwick, with a successful riding career mainly at Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses, was all smiles after a patient ride aboard Truly Elsa ($6.50) to take out a 1000m Benchmark 64 for training combo Darren Magro and Aimee Bush.

Originally published as Michael Hickmott scores first Murray Bridge Gold Cup as Maracourt leads home stable trifecta