Flemington: Picaroon scores thrilling win in Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final
The Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final crown will be staying in Warrnambool, with Tom Dabernig’s Picaroon taking out the big race.
Trainer Tom Dabernig ensured the $500,000 Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) crown stayed in Warrnambool for a second successive year when Picaroon stormed home late to take victory.
Picaroon mowed down Soaring Eagle over the final 100m of the Oaks Day feature and then held off late challenges from runner-up Euphoric and third placegetter Lady Jones to win by only a head.
The six-year-old mare was the Hamilton heat winner of the series that began at Benalla in late September, and was Dabernig’s only runner of the famous four-day Flemington carnival.
Dabernig spent more than 20 years with the powerful Lindsay Park stable before leaving in 2021 to train on his own at Warrnambool.
Last year’s final was taken out by the Matt Williams-trained Toregene. Dabernig said there should be more similar race series for country-trained gallopers.
“It’s a great incentive and there should be more of it,” he said.
“It’s hard to even get in the race, the heats are super competitive.
“For us only having one runner for the week is special.
“We’re just a small country stable now and doing what we’re doing.
“My kids are involved, and my wife, so it’s all a team effort.”
Picaroon, who is owned by Warrnambool dentist Richard White, joined the Dabernig stable in January and is set to back up in a black type race at Sandown in a fortnight.
"Yeah, it's a big thrill when it all comes together & there's a lot of hard work behind the scenes." @dabernigracing takes out one of the biggest races in his solo training career 💥 pic.twitter.com/tISutKZek0
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 9, 2023
Leading jockey Blake Shinn rode Picaroon to victory.
“This race puts country trainers up in lights and it’s worth great money,” he said.
“Tom Dabernig is a great bloke and targeted the race.”
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