Lion’s Roar ends drought in Group 3 Summer Cup to pass $2m prizemoney mark

John O’Shea was a proud trainer after Lion’s Roar broke through for a win in the Summer Cup which he hopes will give the honest stayer a kick along next prep.

Tyler Schiller urges Lion's Roar to victory in the Summer Cup at Randwick. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Lion’s Roar broke his winning drought and also made himself a $2m earner when sticking on to take out Tuesday’s Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick.

The John O’Shea-trained galloper had not won since his Group 1 Randwick Guineas triumph in the autumn of 2021 but had handled himself in top company during that time and pick up cheques for his owners.

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“I reckon he was one of the first horses we bought in New Zealand when I came back training on my own right again,” O’Shea told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“He hasn’t had a lot of luck barrier wise so we’re very proud of him and if you have a stable full of those horses, life’s easy.

“He’s now broke the $2m mark now and he cost $60,000 out of New Zealand so he’s been a tremendous horse for his ownership group.

“Hopefully a win is a little kick along for him. He’ll go to the paddock now with his tail in the air and there’s no reason why he couldn’t pick up a race or two next season.”

Lion's Roar wins the Summer Cup in a tight finish! pic.twitter.com/dVcYVY2QOr

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 26, 2023

The victory gave jockey Tyler Schiller a double on the card after breaking through with Fire Tribe earlier in the card.

Schiller said it was a tough effort for the son of Contributer to hold on after the pair took off early after chasing a solid tempo.

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“He’s a tough old warrior,” Schiller said.

“I didn’t really get him in an ideal spot, I didn’t want to be outside the lead but I wanted to be more positive and he ended up doing a bit of work.

John O'Shea was delighted with the win. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

“They went at a good speed and he was brave to keep digging in when we took off at the 600m.

“Champion Thoroughbreds do a great job. They’ve got a lot of horses with John and also Danielle Seib down at Goulburn.

“I’ve ridden a lot of them, they’re very consistent, they’re great horses to have around and they can pick out a cheeky race that can reward the owners.”

Kris Lees’ grey galloper Luncies gave Lion’s Roar a fight along the inside while the well-backed Baby Rider stuck on for third after leading in the race.

Stockman was the eye catcher out wide when running on late to grab fourth spot.

Originally published as Lion’s Roar ends drought in Group 3 Summer Cup to pass $2m prizemoney mark