Second Tattersall’s Cup for Vow And Declare
Vow And Declare (8 g Declaration Of War – Geblitzt by Testa Rossa) added another chapter to his remarkable career when he won Saturday’s Tattersall’s Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) at Eagle Farm.
The Danny O’Brien-trained eight-year-old etched his name onto the honour roll for the second time, five years after his initial victory, which came in its final edition as a 3000-metre race.
The son of Declaration Of War (War Front) went on to win the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) that year and while O’Brien and the owners have abandoned plans to target Australia’s most famous race, the gelding continues to provide them with immense satisfaction.
“I’m lost for words, it’s really got to me,” part-owner Geoff Corrigan said.
“I was confident he would win, but you never really know until they get there.
“I looked through those Melbourne Cup results and not one of those horses that ran against him [in 2019] are still racing.”
Vow And Declare stretched his career earnings to $7,641,760 with the sixth win of a 44-start career that stretches back to an eighth placing in a 1500-metre contest at Cranbourne in August, 2018.
The gelding has taken his place in four editions of the Melbourne Cup, finishing 18th as the defending champion in 2020 before finishing tenth and ninth the past two years.
His staying prowess came to the fore at Eagle Farm when the $7.50 chance looked set to be gobbled up by $4 favourite Young Werther (Tavistock) in the final furlong only to rally and get home by 0.3 lengths from his stablemate. Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) finished third, a length behind the winner.
Billy Egan, who has settled into the position as Vow And Declare’s regular rider late in his racing career, was thrilled to celebrate his first win aboard him.
“He’s a champion,” Egan said. “I’ve ridden him his last eight starts, [been] second in Group 1s, but this is actually my first victory aboard him.
“I’m absolutely rapt to ride a winner on a Melbourne Cup winner.”