The 8yr-old went one better than his runner-up effort in last year’s running of the 1600m group 3 feature when fighting back tenaciously after being headed at the 200m by the favourite, Boots ’N’ All.
The victory came in veteran South Island jockey Terry Moseley’s first ride on Gallant Boy and it continued his brilliant season in the saddle.
The win also helped back up a long-held theory Brian Anderton has about 1600m racing on his home track.
"With the hill from the 600m up and the hill in the straight, I always say a mile at Wingatui is as good as a mile and a quarter anywhere else."
The testing Wingatui course made both Gallant Boy and Boots ’N’ All dig deep into their stamina reserves.
At the finish, the horse with the more proven record over longer distances won.
Moseley helped keep Gallant Boy’s stamina reserves at a maximum with a rails-hugging ride.
Shane Anderton admitted he had some concerns when Gallant Boy got well back in the field from his wide barrier.
"Down the back I was getting a bit worried, as he was back second or third-last," he said.
"To Terry’s credit, he saved every inch and took all the short cuts."
Moseley took inside runs after a shuffling of runners opened up gaps in the back straight.
Movement from Kolonel Kev and Boots ’N’ All caused Tommy Tucker to blunder and clip heels, which looked to end his chance of defending his race crown.
The incident had the opposite effect on Gallant Boy’s hopes.
"I ended up one off the fence most of the way and when there was a bit of carnage down the back, I ended up getting a nice trip," Moseley said.
"I had spent nothing and got a nice run through, which was the winning of the race.
"This was a good-quality field today and he is a real good horse."
Brian Anderton said saving Gallant Boy for one late finish was crucial to the horse showing his best.
"In the Timaru Cup I wanted him ridden handy, but he hasn’t got the same finish when you ride him like that.
"It is his third win this season and he has only had six starts, so he has done very well."
Anderton said Gallant Boy would now be aimed at coming feature races at Riccarton, such as the Easter Cup and Canterbury Gold Cup.
The Anderton stable will resist the temptation to campaign the horse in the North Island, despite his brilliant form this season. Boots ’N’ All’s defeat handed White Robe Lodge rider Jacob Lowry his third second placing in his previous three rides in the race.
He missed the winning ride of Tommy Tucker last year through suspension.
Gallant Boy’s victory capped a big week for White Robe Lodge.
The North Taieri breeding farm enjoyed good results when selling four yearlings at the National Yearling Sales at Karaka on Thursday and Friday.
Its top lot was a Ghibellines colt from Upclosenpersonal, which sold for $82,500.
Gallant Boy was bred by the late Pat Smith, whose estate races the galloper.
Anderton said Smith’s widow, Jan, was ensuring there would be plenty more wins to come from the breed this season.
Gallant Boy’s half-brother Patrick Erin, who won the group 1 Metropolitan at Randwick earlier this season, will trial at Warwick Farm today for trainer Chris Waller.
Star South Island galloper Savvy Coup will also trial at Warwick Farm. The Livamol Classic winner has transferred to Waller’s Sydney stable after being trained by Michael and Matthew Pitman.
