{"id":339871,"date":"2023-11-03T22:43:37","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T12:43:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=339871"},"modified":"2023-11-04T17:26:41","modified_gmt":"2023-11-04T07:26:41","slug":"gerans-knock-out-cup-rivals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2023\/11\/03\/gerans-knock-out-cup-rivals\/","title":{"rendered":"Gerans Knock Out Cup Rivals"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
The 2023 Wondai Cup winner Vinasta with her co-trainer Kylie Geran (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/p>\n

November 3, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

The livery sported by the 2023 Wondai Cup heroine Vinasta is emblazoned with the logo of KO Racing, an ownership group put together by Kobie O\u2019Brien.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The adventurous Rockhampton racing fan decided to take on the syndication of racehorses in 2019 when he was in the shadow of the post of graduating as a teacher.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Brien, who gained vital experience and confidence through his association with trainer Tom Button, has chalked up a number of success stories.<\/p>\n

The venture started positively – the first horse to salute for KO Racing was Bevan Johnson\u2019s charge Froze.<\/p>\n

\u2018Frosty\u2019 cost O\u2019Brien a mere $500, but his 60 assignments for a 11-12-11 form line picked up more than $100,000.<\/strong><\/p>\n

KO Racing and the Gerans\u2019 yard went close to feature glory when Nikau Spur (NZ), ridden by Ben Thompson, beat all bar Military Gamble in this year\u2019s Toowoomba Cup.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the $750,000 Little Dance at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day is another chance for a major success, courtesy of the team\u2019s newcomer Without Revenge (GB).<\/p>\n

On September 30, with Sunshine Coast mentor David Vandyke applying the polish, the Muharrar gelding filled second berth in the Lismore Cup.<\/p>\n

The effort by the bay that had scored at Lingfield and Newmarket qualified the northern hemisphere bred galloper for the bulging purses (a final\u2019s slot depends on the balloting order).<\/p>\n

Gary Geran\u2019s display aboard Vinasta at Wondai was masterful.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The I Am Invincible mare, prepared at Toowoomba by his wife Kylie and son Corey, did it at both ends.<\/p>\n

She wasn\u2019t allowed to loaf from the outside gate and had quickly crossed to be a handy second to the favourite Portnoy.<\/p>\n

Gary was content to park behind the pacemaker before launching a claim in the run to the home bend.<\/p>\n

The eight-year-old cleared out and had eight lengths to spare on the mirror.<\/p>\n

Vinasta, after posting two wins during her time in Tony Gollan\u2019s stable, has added nine more with the Gerans.<\/p>\n

She was runner-up in last year\u2019s rich Country Cups Challenge, and because of her Wondai triumph she now gets an opportunity to go one better in December\u2019s renewal.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Tiffani Brooker, Summer Star and trainer Jason Edwards were all delighted with their Wondai success (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Feminine Link<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Aptly at Wondai, the Memorial event for the sisters Monica Ryan and Kathleen Hoult was taken out by Tiffani Brooker\u2019s mount, Summer Star.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deagon trainer Jason Edwards pulled the right rein when he decided to give the Going Fine gelding a crack at a sand circuit. The bay\u2019s four placings on soft surfaces and a victory in heavy going indicated that he might appreciate the softer feeling of a non-turf course.<\/p>\n

Brooker also booted home Best Song and Viva Americana, the lightly raced mare by American Pharoah (USA) that was on debut for the Glenn Richardson team.<\/p>\n

The ex-Victorian lived up to a promising Caloundra trial an then successfully backed up for Brooker at Gympie last Saturday. The distance was again the metric half mile.<\/p>\n

The chestnut literally has a hands-on owner in Wayne Ronald, a Victorian equine chiropractor who makes regular trips to Queensland to service a large number of thoroughbreds.<\/p>\n