Local stayer Hemlock Stone wins the Group 2 Perth Cup at huge odds

Hemlock Stone has caused a major boilover to win the Group 2 Perth Cup at Ascot on New Year’s Day.

Hemlock Stone causes a huge boilover to win the Group 2 Perth Cup Picture: Western Racepix

Bolter Hemlock Stone gave master trainer Grant Williams an unexpected sixth win in the Group 2 $1 million Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on Wednesday.

Hemlock Stone had never even been placed in a stakes race before and was unwanted in betting at $81 for the big race – but as winning jockey Pat Carberry said: “He doesn’t know what price he is!”

But Hemlock Stone’s tough effort to outstay his rivals and win the Perth Cup left Williams a little stunned.

“I actually wanted to put this bloke out (for a spell) but Peter Morley (Belhus Syndications) said having a Perth Cup runner is good for business,” Williams said.

“Pre-race, I said to the guys, let’s get excited, we have a horse in the Perth Cup and I said good luck more than anything. It has blown me away.”

Hemlock Stone finished strongly to run down Diamond Scene ($4) near the line and win by a half length with another outsider Be Optimistic ($101) two lengths away third.

Favourite Sentimental Hero ($3.50) was eased out of the race in the straight and finished a long last.

A great battle in the 2025 Perth Cup and it goes to Hemlock Stone! 🏆@williamsracing6 | @PerthRacing | @RacingWA_pic.twitter.com/uspZEJe6H0

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 1, 2025

Serpentine, the 2020 English Derby winner, raced on the speed early but faded to finish second last, more than 10 lengths behind the winner.

Williams, who trains in partnership with his wife Alana, now has six Perth Cups on the mantelpiece after his previous wins with Casino Seventeen (2024), Midnight Blue (2022), Mississippi Delta (2020), Delicacy (2016) and Western Jewel (2012).

Carberry is now a three-time Perth Cup-winning jockey after winning on Midnight Blue and also Lottila Bay (2001).

The jockey explained the reason he took the ride on Hemlock Stone was because the five-year-old was trained by Grant and Alana Williams.

“I thought if anyone can get the horse ready for the Cup they are the ones,’’ Carberry said.

“He settled really well then I gave him a couple of digs around the 1400m. The further he went, the better he went and he hit the line hard.’’

Morley said winning the Perth Cup was “30 years in the making.’’

“I’ve almost lost my voice,’’ the syndicator said. “I can’t tell you how it feels – this is the best,’’ he said.

Originally published as Local stayer Hemlock Stone wins the Group 2 Perth Cup at huge odds