THE 1981 – BENSON AND HEDGES GOLD CUP
WINNER: BERT BY JO
3 b f (Royal Consort – Miss T H)
OWNER: PHILLIP FEANNY ET AL
The American-bred three-year-old filly Bert By Jo cantered home by eight lengths in the 1981 renewal of the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup to emerge the easiest winner in the 15-year history of this prestigious seven-furlong race confined to the top horses in training.
Ridden by the 5lb. claiming apprentice Anthony Williams under top weight of 128lb, Bert By Jo made all the running in the field of 14 to give leading trainer Phillip Feanny one of his most memorable success of the season.
In the second place was another American-bred filly Gravel Gertie, while the 45-1 outsider Dark Fury passed the post in third place a further length away. Following a Stewards Inquiry, Dark Fury was disqualified and placed last for interfering with Merry Lass soon after the start, causing her to lose her rider. The 2-1 favourite Regal and Bold was subsequently promoted to third place while General Q was placed fourth.
When the starter let them go, Eclipse was a shade slowly into stride as Bert By Jo broke winging from the newcomer Duck Key Crozier. As they sorted themselves out it was Bert By Jo two lengths clear of Duck Key Crozier, closely followed by Gravel Gertie, Regal and Bold, Meringue and Mr D.
Bert By Jo increased her lead at the half-mile point and after turning into the straight with some five lengths to spare over Gravel Gertie, moved farther and farther away from the field to win on a common canter at odds of 6-1. It was Bert By Jo’s fourth win on local soil from six outings. Her earlier big successes was the Merry Deal Cup over the straight five course and the prestigious Heineken Trophy race over 7 1/2 furlongs.
Interestingly, Bert By Jo would have missed the Gold Cup had it not been run as originally scheduled on the previous Saturday, November 7. She was not declared apparently because of the existing muddy conditions at the track caused by heavy rains for the greater part of the week. But fate took a hand in her case and the inclement weather forced the race to be cancelled and the featured Gold Cup event rescheduled for the following Saturday.
With the conditions back to normal, Bert By Jo was then allowed to take her chance, thus bringing her earnings to an imposing $82,350 from only six outings.
