The Gong: Brock Ryan fights back tears after Count De Rupee triumphs

Count De Rupee and Brock Ryan produced a popular win in The Gong at their home track to ease the heartbreak of falling short in the Golden Eagle.

Count De Rupee and Brock Ryan take out The Gong. Picture: Getty Images

“After the Golden Eagle I felt like crying because we got beaten – today I feel like crying because we won!’’

This was star apprentice Brock Ryan’s initial reaction after his masterly ride on local hero Count De Rupee to win the $1m The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

But Ryan kept his emotions in check and remained calm and composed in post-race media interviews just as he did during the race.

There was huge expectation on Ryan in the build-up to The Gong but the father and son training partnership Robert and Luke Price backed their apprentice to handle the occasion.

“There was pressure from the media and punters but Robert and Luke didn’t put any pressure on me,’’ Ryan said.

“Before I went out for the Golden Eagle, Robert said don’t look at the (speed) maps, ride on instinct and go out and get the job done.

“It was the same today, he said ride on instinct, back yourself and back this horse. Everything panned out beautifully today and I had the best horse underneath me.’’

THE LOCAL HOPE COUNT DE RUPEE BLITZES THEM IN THE $1 MILLION GONG! pic.twitter.com/AWxpffxM39

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) November 20, 2021

Count De Rupee rebounded from his narrow loss to I’m Thunderstuck in the Golden Eagle to score a commanding win in The Gong, Kembla’s richest race, due in no small part to Ryan’s nerveless ride.

Ryan negated Count De Rupee’s wide barrier (13) early with a positive, confident push forward early that resulted in the four-year-old settling in sixth position, one-off the fence with the run of the race before careering away to a popular hometown win.

“Six years ago today I rode my first winner at Adaminaby at non-TAB meeting,’’ Ryan said. “Here we are today winning a $1m race on my home track.

“This is a huge thing, especially to win for my bosses, Robert and Luke. They are massive supporters of mine and they promote me as much as I can, give me every opportunity under the sun and it is so good to capitalise for them – and gee he is a good horse.’’

Count De Rupee ($4.80 equal favourite) accelerated brilliantly from the top of the straight, swept past the leaders and careered away to claim The Gong by one-and-a-quarter lengths from Nudge ($11) with a long head to Yamazaki ($26) third.

Atishu ($4.80 equal favourite) followed Count De Rupee in the run but could not sprint with the winner in the straight and ran only 11th.

As Count De Rupee raced over the line to win The Gong – giving Ryan his third winner for the day after his earlier successes on The Guru and Divine Breath – Robert Price embraced his son, Luke.

Brock Ryan with Count De Rupee’s trainer Robert Price. Picture: Getty Images

Ryan might not have let his guard down but Robert was momentarily overcome with emotion.

“It’s a special moment to share this with win Luke on our home track,’’ Robert said.

“As for our jockey, it was a great ride by Brock. He just needed someone like our family to back him and he’s done it.’’

Ryan is due to come out of his time on December 1 and Luke Price is convinced the young jockey will have continued success in the senior ranks.

“Brock’s really putting himself into the top 10 riders in Sydney. He’s gone to another level and he’s been outstanding,’’ Luke said.

“Obviously you need the horses to get there but Brock’s been there from day one with this horse. He’s educated it with me and we’ve spoken about this for so long so for him to be a part of it means so much.”

Brock Ryan rides Count De Rupee to victory in The Gong. Picture: Getty Images

Count De Rupee allayed concerns about his ability to run a strong 1600m in The Gong but Robert Price is convinced the horse’s future is in sprint races.

“He is the sort of horse that could be an Everest chance,’’ Price said.

“We don’t have to train him like that, but we have done a bit more with him to get him to the Golden Eagle and The Gong.

“But he has such brilliant acceleration and fresh over 1200m he is dynamic.’’

Luke Price echoed his father’s thoughts about a long-term plan to set Count De Rupee for The Everest next October.

He said Count De Rupee was likely to be aimed at major Group 1 sprints like the TJ Smith Stakes and All Aged Stakes in autumn to try and secure an Everest slot.

“We’ll go where the big money is and we’ll be looking at an Everest ticket,’’ Luke Price said.

“When he won here first-up over 1200m at the start of his spring campaign he went half a second quicker than Anamoe and we all know how good he is.

“I honestly believe, whatever we ask this horse to do he will. He’s pretty special.”

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