Folding Gear Back in Winners' Circle

Group 2 winner Folding Gear (NZ) made an impressive return to the winners' circle at Caulfield on Saturday when claiming the A$125,000 Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m).

Trained by Lee & Shannon Hope, Folding Gear (Johar x Royal Show) settled back in running and picked his way through the field, finding clear running room in the straight and powering away in the final 100 metres to win by a comfortable two lengths for jockey Ben Melham.

Folding Gear came into the Group 3 two starts back from a spell after striking wet tracks at his first two appearances this campaign. The spring saw the four-year-old have just two starts which included a second in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

Saturday's victory retained the son of Johar's unbeaten record at Caulfield where he has won both of his starts, the other coming last season in the Group 2 Autumn Classic.

Bred by Chequers N.Z., Folding Gear was purchased by Paul Duncan from Chequers Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2009 Karaka Select Sale for $30,000. He was later offered at the 2009 Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds where he was purchased by Lee Hope from Esker Lodge for $50,000.

Raced by Mr K J Beck, Folding Gear has won three of his ten race starts for over A$250,000 in stakes earnings.