Gerry Harvey’s veteran Zabeel gelding Landlocked opened his stakes-winning account at the ripe old age of eight when he captured Friday’s $140,000 Listed Wagga Gold Cup (2000m), reports Breednet.

Ridden by Glen Boss for Queanbeyan-based-trainer Joe Cleary, Landlocked sat up on the pace set by favoured Gypsy Diamond before opening up in the straight to defeat Faust (Librettist) by a length with Gypsy Diamond (Not A Single Doubt) hanging on for third.

Despite his advanced age, Landlocked has started just 29 times. He has been in the form of his life of late having captured the Wagga Wagga Country Cup and the Gundagai Cup at his previous two starts.

He also added to the Harvey silverware collection this preparation with his victory in the Queanbeyan Cup.

The overall record of Landlocked stands at 9 wins 1 second and 1 third from 29 starts for earnings of $244,990.

Cleary was given Landlocked to train after the Zabeel gelding made his first 18 starts for Anthony Cummings. He was highly enough thought of to contest the 2010 AJC Australian Derby won by Shoot Out and the Group 1 AJC The Metropolitan won by Herculian Prince in the same year.

"I knew I had him spot on,” Cleary told Sky Thoroughbred Central. "He’s the only Zabeel I’ve ever trained. I just love the animal, I love him.”

"He was retired but I received a text message from (Gerry Harvey’s racing manager) Claire Bird to give him a go,” Cleary said.

"He’s got issues, but haven’t we all.”

Bred by his owner at Baramul Stud, Landlocked is the fourth named foal of the 3-time winning Danehill mare Secover a three-quarter sister to Group III winner and Group 1 placed World Peace (dam of Group III winner Chivalry)  and a half-sister to stakes-winner Presenting and Group II winner Light Up The World as well as to the dams of Group 1 winners Bentley Biscuit and Thorn Park.

Of course this is the prolific family descending from the top-class racemare Denise’s Joy, which has been so successful for Harvey’s great friend John Singleton.

The 16yo Secover is proving a very reliable producer. Her yearling colt by Congrats (USA) recently sold for $85,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling sale.

She has a weanling colt by All Too Hard and was bred back to the Vinery stallion again last spring.