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Jockey Robert Hannam secured a sentimental win on his home track on Saturday, taking out the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2200m) aboard Rock On.
It was the fourth win in the race for the Palmerston North jockey, equaling the tally of winning trainer Gary Vile.
“Gary has trained four winners (of the race) and I have been lucky enough to ride four, so it’s a pretty special race for me,” Hannam said.
“Each winner is a special moment, but to win your own Cup is pretty special.”
Hannam is hoping to continue his winning ways on Boxing Day when he rides Authentic Paddy in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m), a race the nine-year-old won last year.
“I missed out on the Group One last year, I was overseas, but I’m here now,” Hannam said.
“He ran a tremendous race in the Captain Cook (Gr.1, 1600m) last-start, his toughness and ability to keep trying just got him home for second. That was a big run I thought.”
Hannam rides the Lisa Latta-trained runner in trackwork and said he is pleased with the gelding heading into Wednesday.
“I work him every morning, so I know how well he is at the moment, he is bouncing,” he said.
“They tell me there’s going to be a bit of rain up there, he used to be a wet-tracker, but he’ll handle it as well as most horses will up there.”