Lad's Cup entry no sure thing

Trainer Stephen Rowe has revealed Barnsley Lad is no certainty to run in next week’s $110,000 XXXX Gold Bunbury Cup, despite the gelding extending its hot streak to win the $80,000 Prince of Wales Hotel AHA Cup on Sunday.

Rowe said a decision on whether the in-form four-year-old, who is yet to have an extended spell, would contest the Cup would be made later this week.

Jockey Brad Parnham steered Barnsley Lad ($7) on an inside line to hold off a fast-finishing Miss Tipsy Topsy ($7) by a nose.

“I was talking to his managing owner Dave Copley before this race and we’re both of the same opinion — we’d love to go there (the Bunbury Cup) but it’s not imperative,” Rowe said.

Race favourite Moonlight Bay ($3.40) was one length away third.

Barnsley Lad has won four of its five starts this preparation and would likely start favourite for the Bunbury Cup.

Rowe flagged bigger things for the galloper.

“He’s never had a decent spell in his life, he’s going to be a much nicer horse next preparation,” he said.

The AHA Cup’s 2019m trip was the longest of Barnsley Lad’s 15 career assignments.

Parnham said he was confident the horse could handle the 2200m journey of the Bunbury Cup.

“The camera angle was a bit deceiving. The other horse (Miss Tipsy Topsy) actually got in front of me for a little bit and my horse ended up making the ground back to beat him,” he said.

“After the line my horse was the strong one and he kept running. I feel like he will get the extra 200m pretty comfortably.”

Rose of Choice and Let’s Buy Iht deadheated in the final race, the G. J. Cruickshank Hcp (1200m).

Troy Turner rode a double on Michael Lane’s Cougar Nights ($2f) in the WAROA Owners Bonus Day Maiden (1410m) and Lou and Dion Luciani’s Ye Olde ($7) in the Skinny Dog Bar Tab Maiden (1410m).