Matt Loch Lands Warrnambool Cup Spoils

TRAINER Michelle Mallia claimed her second Country Cup for 2024 when Matt Loch stormed to victory in the Group 2 Sportsbet Warrnambool Cup (450m) on Wednesday night.

Matt Loch's resounding Warrnambool Cup triumph continued the stellar training year Mallia is enjoying after Fernando Phil landed the Group 2 Horsham Cup in March.

Fernando Phil also contested Wednesday night's Warrnambool Cup decider, finishing fourth.

A son of Aussie Infrared and Stepping, Matt Loch's Warrnambool Cup heroics extended his glowing record to 12 wins and six placings from 25 starts.

His prize money tally now reaching $93,725.

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MATT LOCH (Rug 4) was triumphant in the Group 2 #WarrnamboolCup Final (450m) in a sizzling 24.992 seconds for trainer Michelle Mallia.

MATT LOCH now has 12 wins and six minor placings from 25 races.

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— Trent Langskaill (@trentlangskaill) May 1, 2024

The Warrnambool Cup was Matt Loch's first foray at group race level following a stretch of insatiable form which included a string of devastating one-turn victories.

Such was the support for the 36 kilo powerhouse, Matt Loch ultimately started favourite for the $55,000-to-the-winner finale at $3.40, just ahead of Group 1 hero Morton at $4.00.

Morton finished a gallant second, 2 ½ lengths away from the winner while Trooper Tears ran third, a further three-quarters of a length away.

The winning time was 24.99. 

Wednesday night's bumper Warrnambool meeting also saw the staging of the Jack Daffy Memorial (450m) and Stan Lake Memorial (450m).

The Jack Daffy Memorial was won by the Jeff Britton-trained Pass Mark while Quinlan Bale took out the Stan Lake Memorial for Rebecca Gibbons.