Superb Albany Cup victory for rising stayer Said No One Ever to hand local pair long-awaited feature success

Lightly-raced stayer Said No One Ever produced a superb performance to win the $100,000 Wellington & Reeves Albany Cup (2100m) on Sunday and hand owner Darren White some much needed joy. White is a part owner of star WA sprinter Kissonallforcheeks, who last month was cruelly ruled out of this Saturday’s $4 million The Quokka with a throat infection. However, Albany pair Annette Crump and Natasha Faithfull helped turn around White’s fortunes, as they combined to pull off a remarkable win with Said No One Ever. The six-year-old won a 62+ ratings race on March 31 and despite the big jump in class, rocketed home for local jockey Faithfull to claim the feature race at Percy Spencer Racecourse. The result was Crump’s first Albany Cup triumph as a trainer while it was also the first cup win on home turf for the hard-working Faithfull. Said No One Ever ($11) settled fifth for Faithfull in running and was on the move approaching the home turn, surging clear in the straight to win by more than a length. Wagin galloper Brave Contender ($4.40) ran another strong race to finish second ahead of $16 chance Big Swoop who was the leader on the corner. Crump was overjoyed after winning her first Albany Cup and said the horse has been wonderful in coming back from a serious injury. “It was always our plan from the beginning of the season,” she said. “He had done a ligament injury about 18 months ago. “We had him in last year only for three runs and then after a second in Pinjarra we chucked him out and thought we head him towards the cup. “We are all very, very pleased and its encouraging going forward after a performance like that.” Crump paid credit to White for the loyalty he has showed to her stable. “Obviously it is the biggest win of my career and I didn’t think I’d see it happen,” she said. “It was a real blow to have Kissonallforcheeks pull out of The Quokka so it’s good for him to win this on the back of that disappointment.” Faithfull rode Said No One Ever for the first time in his win over his 1940m last start and Crump said it was fitting to share her first Albany Cup with a local jockey. “She did it last win as well, rode him a treat,” Crump said. “Tash knew him a little better (Sunday) but she did an awesome job and it’s great for her as well to win a first Albany Cup.” Crump has previously only had one runner in the Albany Cup, with Rock Of Tara running second to Jobeth in 2012. Said No One Ever is likely to have one start at Ascot before being sent for a spell. The Darren McAuliffe-trained Niigata and Ashley Maley-prepared Double Digit stormed home in fourth and fifth place. Last year’s winner Tena Koutou, from the Adam Durrant yard, was sixth across the line but a post-race vet check revealed the horse bled from the nostrils in the event.