UNDERRATED jockey Dean Holland won his second Dunkeld Cup, when he guided the Hamilton-trained Tan Check to victory in the $45,000 race on Saturday.
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Tan Check, trained by James Bull, defeated Nordic Symphony by five lengths with Southern Rock back in third place.
Bull told The Standard the lightly-raced six-year-old was finally living up to his promise.
"We've only had Tan Check for the nine runs and he's won three of them," he said.
"It was great to see him take the jump in class from restricted company to an open handicap.
"He's had a few niggling problems but we appear to be on top of them.
My wife Sarah and Crystal Ferguson do a lot of work with Tan Check.
"It was a good ride by Dean. I think we may look at Tan Check having his next start in the Werribee Cup on December 6."
Holland said the result was never in doubt in the 1800-metre race.
"I just wanted a bit of cover in the run and after I got that the race was over after about 400 metres," he said.
"There was good tempo in the race which suited us. Tan Check was travelling really well before the home turn.
"He could have won by more then the five lengths.
"Tan Check is a handy type of horse.
"The penny has dropped with him. I think it took him a bit of time to mature.
"I think he can measure up to a metropolitan race. James is doing a great job with Tan Check."
Holland's other Dunkeld Cup victory was on Prince Della in 2004.
The Dunkeld Cup is usually a highlight on the south-west social calendar with more than 10,000 spectators attending the event.
Spectators couldn't attend this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Only a limited amount of owners were allowed on course.
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