Driver David Miller motored 1-9 favourite Papi Rob Hanover to the lead in the backstretch and ripped to the finish with a widening advantage to take the $401,850 Governor’s Cup on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Cattlewash cleared control in the first turn with Captain Groovy settling into second and Lake Charles in third. Papi Rob Hanover raced fourth past a :27.3 first quarter but Miller soon angled the Somebeachsomewhere colt from the pegs and surged to the front just past three-eighths.
Papi Rob Hanover took the field by the half in :56.4 and faced a slight first-over challenge from Captain Groovy pacing towards three-quarters in 1:25. Captain Groovy faltered into the stretch as Papi Rob Hanover rolled to a 1:51.1 victory by two-and-three-quarter lengths over Father Nuno closing for second. Cattlewash finished third.
“It was pretty easy,” David Miller said after the race. “Andy [McCarthy] left with [Captain Groovy] and Yannick re-moved—it felt like in the first turn they weren’t going a whole lot. They lined up pretty quick so I moved him. He was pretty comfortable and he was pretty strong. He’s been a lot of fun this year—I started him out in the baby races and to watch him turn out to be like this, it’s quite a feeling of accomplishment. Not for me but for the horse—he’s turned into such a nice horse.”
Winning his sixth race from 12 starts, Papi Rob Hanover pushed his bankroll to $756,783. The victory also strengthens Papi Rob Hanover’s resume for year-end honours in the states.
“In the U.S. I think [he can win] for sure,” said trainer Brett Pelling after the race. “The O’Briens are a little different but for the U.S. I can’t see how they can rate the other horse [Tall Dark Stranger] ahead of him. He’s done absolutely everything; two track records, sire stakes champion, Governor’s Cup winner, and he’s just a fabulous animal. He wins but he dominates.”
Papi Rob Hanover paid $2.20 to win.