The well named Up Cups has become something of a cups king, after finishing second in the Longford Cup on New Year's Day he captured the Brighton Cup and the Summer Cup before the sweetest of all, the $200,000 Group III Betfair Exchange Hobart Cup on Monday.
Ridden by reigning champion jockey David Pires for trainer David Brunton, Up Cups defeated Geegees Goldengirl (Wordsmith) by half a length with the Clinton McDonald-trained Beliveau (Fastnet Rock), with Michelle Payne in the saddle, three-quarters of a length back in third.
A Polley family homebred, Up
Pires was thrilled to win his first Hobart Cup on the 5yo gelding.
"All the local jockeys want to win either a Hobart or a Launceston Cup," Pires told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
"I've been here for 14 years now and I'm just over the moon.
"I came over here as an apprentice and just love the place.
"He's just a brilliant horse and
Up Cups becomes the fourth stakes-winner for the
A half-brother to the Group III winner Moon Driver (Mr Prospector) Helike is a son of the Prix de Diane, Prix Jacques Le Marois and Poule d''Essai des Pouliches winner East Of The Moon (Private Account) a half-sister to five
After beginning his career at Armidale Stud in 2007 at a fee of $3,300, Helike (pictured) struggled for patronage.
In what turned out to be his final season before his death in May 2013, Helike covered just two mares.
Up Cups is the first foal of the Partners Choice (USA) mare Rising Art who remained a maiden after 8 starts. She had not had a live foal in three years before being covered by Clangalang last spring.