Nick Ryan earns Echuca Cup quinella with Red Phantom & Capper Thirtynine

Trainer Nick Ryan pulled off an unexpected quinella this weekend in the Echuca Cup at Echuca Racecourse on Sunday.

Red Phantom –the winner– was one of the biggest outsiders ahead of the race according to the betting odds. Capper Thirtynine, who finished runner up, was the betting sites favourite.

Red Phantom upsets the betting odds

Saying that Red Phantom was an outsider for the Echuca Cup is actually a bit of understatement.

The horse racing betting odds gave the six-year-old just $21 chances of winning on Sunday. Only Emma-Lee and David Browne’s Rhinoceros ($27) had worse odds to win from the betting apps.

In the end, both Rhinoceros and Red Phantom overperformed. Rhinoceros finished fourth, while Red Phantom was obviously the winner.

Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young’s Pascero ($16) –another one of the outsiders– finished third, 1.5 lengths behind the winner.

After the win, Ryan admitted that Capper Thirtynine’s owners were in attendance and were unhappy to see their horse lose. However, it was “great for Red Phantom’s connections,” Ryan added.

Ryan’s horses dominate

While Red Phantom’s win in the Echuca Cup was unexpected before the race, it was clear early on that Ryan’s duo of Red Phatom and Capper Thirtynine were going to have a good day on Sunday.

Red Phantom led the pack at both the 800m and 400m marks. Capper Thirtynine was closely behind at both milestones as well.

The four-year-old gelding was second behind his stablemate at both marks and nearly closed the gap down the final stretch. He only lost a head to his training partner.

Putting it all together

Red Phantom’s win was the second Echuca Cup for Nick Ryan in his career. He previously won three years ago with his gelding Not To Be Mist.

Speaking about his newest winner after the race, Ryan said his horse has always had the potential to be a good runner, so he was happy to see him at his best on Sunday.

“He was targeted for this race, while Capper (Thirtynine) was on the backup. He’s always been a handy horse, and today, things fell into place,” Ryan said.

“He’d run some good races, but down in the weights and this was a target race. It looked like Capper had him, but he fought back and got the job done.

“It’s great to get a win like this for his owners. He’s been lightly raced but always shown ability, and it’s good to see him deliver on a big day like today.”