Free-rolling veteran Twin Wing enjoyed being back in his comfort zone at Rosehill on Saturday when he led his rivals on a merry dance to claim the Winter Cup.The seven-year-old is the stable favourite in Guy Walter's Warwick Farm yard but went into the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) with a string of minor placings but no wins for two years.It was to be his day for an overdue stakes win with Jay Ford urging him to the front to let him dictate the race after circumstances prevented him from doing so la
Free-rolling veteran Twin Wing enjoyed being back in his comfort zone at Rosehill on Saturday when he led his rivals on a merry dance to claim the Winter Cup.
The seven-year-old is the stable favourite in Guy Walter's Warwick Farm yard but went into the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) with a string of minor placings but no wins for two years.
It was to be his day for an overdue stakes win with Jay Ford urging him to the front to let him dictate the race after circumstances prevented him from doing so last Saturday at Randwick.
Although it was announced he would go forward punters deserted Twin Wing, letting him drift from $11 to $26 with Strike One the $3.70 favourite.
After controlling the race, Twin Wing had enough reserves to hold off Yaqubi ($6.50) by a length with Strike One another half-length away third.
"He is just such a tough, honest old fellow," Walter said.
"Jay rode a beautiful race and it's wonderful to see him back winning.
"And he's not finished yet.
"We'll take him back to Grafton again to try to win the Cup."
Twin Wing finished the closest of thirds in the 2009 Grafton Cup behind Castle Heights and Hume.
Walter said the Stayer's Cup (3200m) at Rosehill in two weeks was among the options for Twin Wing's Grafton lead-up.
Ford, who rode Twin Wing when he was unplaced in last year's Sydney Cup over 3200 metres, said the gelding was happy in front.
"We got a soft lead and he just likes to roll along," Ford said.
"It was a genuine mile-and-a-half race and he did it well.
"He's happy when he's able to dictate.
"I've ridden him over two miles (3200m) before and he wasn't happy when he wasn't able to lead.
"I got to the front easy today and he relaxed."
Corey Brown was happy with Strike One's effort for third in the circumstances.
"He's run well but the winner's too tough," he said.
"He went quick the first half-mile (800m) and quick the last half-mile."
The Bart Cummings-trained Yaqubi will head to the Stayers' Cup as will fourth-placed Two Towers.
The $150,000 Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) is on July 15.
Twin Wing's record now stands at eight wins and 15 placings from 48 starts.