Didn’t Even Kiss Me broke a lengthy drought and provided rookie hoop Wendy Peel with her first ever race win in Saturday’s Tumbarumba Cup. This time last year Didn’t Even Kiss Me was competing in a Group 2 race at Caulfield, but she hadn’t won in more than a year and bookies sent her out as an $8 shot at Tumbarumba. However, Peel rode the horse like she was a good thing. The jockey went forward along the top of the hill to take the lead from top-weight Tableux to head the field coming down the slope. With momentum on her side, Peel and Didn’t Even Kiss Me sprinted away to claim the famous race by two and a half lengths on NSW’s most unique track. Spackman said after the victory that Didn’t Even Kiss Me would now get a shot at the Tumut Cup on February 17.
Tumbarumba was the horse’s first win in just over a year, with Spackman revealing he may have set the horse up to fail over the past 12 months. “Our ambitions may have outreached her potential,” Spackman said. “This campaign we’re trying to get some confidence back. Give her that winning feeling again.” The Caulfield start was part of an arduous campaign last year in which Didn’t Even Kiss Me failed to deliver. A near-six month spell was followed by a first up run at Albury last month in which the galloper ran fifth of seven, but Spackman took some confidence from the outing.
“The jockey Jake Duffy said to forget about where she finished,” Spackman said. “She got knocked around in the race and didn’t get a good run. “Her work leading up to that had been first class, and it was even better heading into Tumbarumba. “I thought she’d run well.” It was Spackman’s second Tumbarumba Cup in a row. “It’s a bloody awesome feeling,” Spackman said. “I’ve had two horses run in the cup for two wins. “I think this is only the third time I’ve been to the races here, but it’s a top day and the committee do a fantastic job.” Peel, meantime, could not contain her delight. She’ll forever remember the Tumbarumba Cup as her maiden win. Indentured to Peter Robl, Peel hails from Scone and has only been riding since April last year. Tumut galloper Little Capri set a cracking early tempo, but faded to finish near the tail of the field.
TUMBARUMBA CUP (BM70) 1400m: 8.00 DIDNT EVEN KISS ME (gr m 4y Murtajill – Homerette (USA). Trainer: S Spackman) 54 carr 50 (Wendy Peel) 1, 4.40 TABLEAUX 61.5 carr 59.5 (Alena Skerritt) 2, 7.00 DOOGAN’S DESTINY 54 (Ms S Hunter) 3. Then followed: 2.70 fav Reine Happy 7.00 Razzle Dazzle Rock 9.00 Cross Of Gold 11.00 Little Capri 13.00 Black Fusion last. Scr: Oh What A Thief, Purple Crown, Abington Threat. 2-1/2 len, 3 len. Time: 1:22.53. (Last 600m 35.60).
