Bargain Buy, No Bull Rodeo Rider Toasts Jungle Juice Hope

Newcastle Herald

Monday July 5, 2004

By GEOFF WILSON

RODEO star Michael Wilson landed on his feet when he got up the Dutch courage to buy cast-off galloper My Charity Star.

Wilson, top Cessnock trainer Jeremy Sylvester and My Charity Star could tomorrow write an apt chapter into the history of the great fun race that is the Jungle Juice Cup.

The reason why and how Wilson, a 30-year-old bull-rider, is now riding to success in racing is indeed worthy of the Jungle Juice Cup, which has become Cessnock's premier race.

Tomorrow is the 24th running of the race over 1350 metres. It is worth $15,000 and has come a long way from the days when it was nothing more than a gimmick to promote a concoction of liquor invented by local tavern owner Mel Jurd.

It was after a drink or three that Wilson bought My Charity Star, a horse banished from the stables of leading trainer Gai Waterhouse.

My Charity Star won at his first start at Newcastle but was plagued by injury and put into the too-hard basket.

But then Wilson and Sylvester got together.

Their galloper has now won over $20,000 after an initial outlay of just $4000.

Sylvester still laughs when he recalls how My Charity Star came to his stables.

"You can blame the demon drink for this one," Sylvester said with a laugh. "It was because of the drink that we got the horse, but it has turned out to be the best thing that has happened to Michael.

"Michael is a top bull rider and he had saved up enough money to go to Canada to compete on the rodeo circuit over there. There was plenty of money to be won and he was keen to have a go.

"Michael had worked at our bakery for six years and he is a good mate, so we had a day out before he was to leave."

That day out was at the tried-horse sales in Sydney.

"He must have had a few too many ales because he started bidding and the horse was knocked down to him," Sylvester said. "He signed for the horse and said that the $2000 he had paid would knock his expenses about for the trip overseas, but he could still afford it.

"I said, 'Mick, you didn't pay two grand, you bid four and you signed for the four thousand'. He looked at me, and just sidled up real close and said, 'Mate, you haven't got a spare two grand have you?'

"I could not stop laughing and we worked out a deal so we both had a share in the horse."

So instead of riding bulls in Canada, Wilson has sat back and had a smooth ride on the back of My Charity Star.

The horse has won three races for his new connections and last start was a good fourth in a 1200m handicap at Rosehill on June 19.

Sylvester has made a habit of winning the Jungle Juice Cup, having already been successful on four occasions.

And each of those wins have come with cast-offs.

He was successful with Pre Record (formerly trained by Brian Mayfield-Smith), Justifably Proud (which was owned by the late Jack Ingham and trained by Vic Thompson), Deselante (trained by the late Geoff Murphy in Melbourne) and Mighty Rimu, which had previously been prepared by Neville McBurney at Wyong.

"It is a thrill to win the Jungle Juice Cup. It is our local race and it draws a great turnout from Cessnock and all over the place," Sylvester said.

"I haven't won it for a few years now and I had not planned to get My Charity Star, so that would make it an even bigger thrill if he won.

"This is his first test over the 1350 metres, but he has drawn well [gate six] and hopefully will get a nice run.

"My Charity Star has done very well since his latest run and there will be plenty of celebrating if he did happen to win."

Indeed.