Aurora’s Symphony breaks track record to win first Hobart Cup

A race record was broken when the winner of the 150th Hobart Cup crossed the line on Sunday. See the wrap.

Aurora's Symphony connections after winning the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup at Elwick Racecourse. Picture: Chris Kidd

Aurora’s Symphony has produced a record breaking run to storm home and win the 150th edition of the Hobart Cup on Sunday.

The Symon Wilde-trained gelding entered the race fourth favourite but produced a track record run of 2:30.21 – beating the previous record held by Toorak Affair of 2:30.29 over the 2400m in 2020 to claim victory.

Aurora's Symphony ridden by Jordan Childs wins the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup at Elwick Racecourse. Picture: Chris Kidd

Ridden by jockey Jordan Childs, the seven year-old won by 2.75L from Wyclif with Grand Pierro finishing third.

It was a race to forget for favourite Alhambra Lad, with the Patrick Payne-trained gelding finishing in eighth.

After winning his last start at Flemington, the two-time Launceston Cup winner continued his strong success in Tasmania with local trainer Glenn Stevenson taking in Aurora’s Symphony when in the state.

“Simon booked him in about six weeks when he won in Melbourne (Flemington),” Stevenson said post-race.

“As soon as he got into the farm he has come in like a stallion and hasn’t missed a beat. He has just travelled so well. Simon sends them over fit.”

Stevenson’s runner in the main race, Ashy Boy, finished fourth.

Jockey Jordan Childs said post-race that it was another strong showing from a horse that loves racing in Tasmania.

“It worked out perfectly for us,” Childs said.

“We were able to get him into a nice spot and pop off the fence going past the winning post on that first lap.

“He just got into a lovely rhythm and from the 600m (mark) I was able to build into it and really quickened up well.”

Aurora's Symphony ridden by Jordan Childs receives a trophy from Ladbrokes Karl deKroo after winning the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup at Elwick Racecourse. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Simon and the team have this horse flying. His form has been good, winning at Flemington before coming here today and wherever he goes next time he should be hard to beat again.”

After winning both the 2022 and 2023 Launceston Cups, Childs was confident Symphony could carry 60-plus kilos after heading into the Hobart Cup at 59.5kg.

“I think he can,” he said.

“He is a big strong horse and I don’t think it seems to affect him too much. What he did today to that field, I’m tipping it (Launceston Cup) to be similar horses, so I can’t see why he wouldn’t show up again.”

If Symphony can produce a third-straight win in Launceston, he will become the first horse since St. Andrews in 2000, 2002 and 2003 to win three Launceston Cups and the first to complete the three-peat.