Emma Pritchard

Despite being first past the post, connections of evergreen English bred galloper Cepheus (GB) were forced to postpone their celebrations following the running of the Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup over 1610m on July 14 after jockey Michael Cahill aboard runner-up Estadio Mestalla (IRE) lodged a protest citing interference inside the final 400m.

While replays showed the thoroughbreds brushed against one another at the top of the home straight, the rider of Cepheus (GB) Nash Rawiller maintained his mount had not impeded Estadio Mestalla (IRE).

A long head separated the two on the line.

After reviewing the footage, stewards dismissed the protest and allowed Cepheus (GB) to claim back-to-back wins in the feature event and subsequently qualify for the $3 million The Big Dance for the second consecutive year.

Owned by former Clarence Valley resident Maree Anderson, who was trackside on the weekend, Cepheus (GB) was initially purchased as a possible Melbourne Cup contender from Europe before proving himself to be a handy miler and middle-distance performer.

While admitting to experiencing several tense moments while the stewards deliberated over the results of the race, Ms Anderson said she was extremely proud of Cepheus (GB) and credited his jockey for giving the horse a terrific ride.

Jumping from barrier 11, and carrying the top weight of 62kg, the chestnut son of champion European sire Sea The Stars (IRE) broke cleanly and settled behind the early leader Estadio Mestalla (IRE).

As the field of 12 rounded the home turn, Rawiller expertly guided the seven-year-old gelding to the front while Cepheus (GB) continued to kick strongly.

Estadio Mestalla (IRE), prepared at Warwick Farm by Group 1 winning trainer Joseph Pride, continued to fight back against the rails with the pull in the weights, but ultimately fell short on the line.

Time Quest (GB) finished a further 1.5 lengths away in third place.

“He never let me down,” Rawiller said of Cepheus (GB).

“He’s such a good horse, and he was always in for the fight.”

Trained in Murwillumbah by leading Northern Rivers trainer Matthew Dunn, Cepheus (GB) will continue to progress towards the $3 million The Big Dance to be run at Royal Randwick on November 5.

After running second in the race last year, Ms Anderson is hoping Cepheus (GB) can go one better in 2024 before possibly returning to Grafton during the 2025 July Racing Carnival and adding a third South Grafton Cup to his impressive race record.

Photo 1: Cepheus (GB) gets up on the outside to defeat Estadio Mestalla (IRE) and win his second successive Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup. Image: Emma Pritchard

Photo 2: The winning connections of Cepheus (GB) celebrate in the mounting yard following the running of the Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup over 1610m on July 14. Image: Emma Pritchard