Albany pair claim hometown cup

A top shelf ride from jockey Mitchell Pateman has helped deliver maiden Albany Cup success for himself and trainer Darren McAuliffe after today’s $100,000 Wellington & Reeves Albany Cup (2100m).

Returning to the place he calls home, Pateman wasted heavily to ride at 55.5kg and jump aboard The Big Show, which started $2.40 favourite in the feature race.

Pateman’s efforts were rewarded however as The Big Show travelled strongly into the home corner and then charged to the lead inside the final 200m, edging out the fast-finishing He’s A Parker by half a length.

The victory was the first in the Albany Cup for Pateman, who saluted to his supporters as he crossed the line and yelled in jubilation at the achievement.

McAuliffe, who also hails from Albany, has filled minor placings in the Albany Cup previously but was delighted to finally claim a race that also means a lot to him.

See Tuesday’s Albany Advertiser for a full wrap of the Albany Cup meeting.