Outsider Hemlock Stone delivered a shock result for master trainer Grant Williams to win his Group 2 $1 million Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on Wednesday.
Despite having never placed in a stakes race and being a massive longshot at $81 with betting sites, Hemlock Stone defied the odds in a memorable display of determination. Winning jockey Pat Carberry summed it up perfectly: “He doesn’t know what price he is!”
Even Williams was caught off guard by the remarkable result.
“I actually wanted to put this bloke out (for a spell) but Peter Morley (Belhus Syndications) said having a Perth Cup runner is good for business,” Williams said.
“Pre-race, I said to the guys, let’s get excited, we have a horse in the Perth Cup and I said good luck more than anything. It has blown me away.”
Hemlock Stone’s gallant finish saw him overhaul the favourite, Diamond Scene ($4), in the final strides to claim victory by half a length. Another rank outsider, Be Optimistic ($101), rounded out the placings, finishing two lengths back in third.