By MATT NICHOLLS
YOU COULD almost hear the cheer in Guyra when Dusty’s Felt crossed the line in Monday’s Armidale Cup.
Described as one of the most popular victories this century, Dusty’s Felt’s trainer Paul Grills, his wife Angela and owners Craig Waters, Michael Jackson and Bruce Coppock joined as one to celebrate the win.
“I really can’t believe it,” Angela said.
“When we came today we were really confident he would run a good race, but now he’s won it’s unbelievable.”
A winner of nine races, Dusty’s Felt also ran in the 2012 Armidale Cup, but fell just short, finishing third.
This time he was set for the race many months ago.
His run back from a 36-week spell was last year on 1 September at Moree. Since then he’s had 17 starts without a major break, but has rarely put in a bad run.
“He was always looking for that extra ground,” Paul said.
“He used to be really competitive over 1400m, but now he’s getting older he needs that 1900m trip.”
Winning jockey Matthew Paget said his run in the Armidale Cup Prelude (1900m) when second behind Kwilas Law was a great warm-up for Monday’s race.
“It was a good second in the Prelude. He had a real dogfight down the straight with another horse and never saw the winner until it was too late,” he said.
Paget is hoping the Grills team takes Dusty’s Felt to the Grafton Cup, raced at the jockey’s home track, on 17 July.
“The Grafton Cup might be a good aim for him. He’s no superstar, just an old battler who tries his heart out. His heart is right in it.”
Paget also took time to acknowledge Armidale jockey Geoff Snowden, who rides a lot of Dusty’s Felt’s work and is good friends with the Grills family.
Snowden was also one of the first people to congratulate Paul and Angela on their victory.
Away from the track, the Grills’ story is also a heartwarming tale.
The couple were high school sweethearts before going their seperate ways as adults.
“Paul went to New Zealand and I went to the city,” Angela said.
“I moved back here about five years ago and we met up again.”
The couple got married last year.
“Paul does the horse training and I do the business side of the operation,” she said.
“Although I do help pick up the horse poo in the mornings.”
