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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Terry Robinson isn’t sure where his Kosciuszko champ Art Cadeau will head next but he’s already keen to be back at Randwick in 12 months to defend his crown after a stirring victory at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Terry Robinson (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The five-year-old, still nowhere near the peak of his powers, became the first horse to claim the $500,000 Country Championships Final (1400m) and the $1.3m The Kosciuszko (1200m) – the two biggest prizes in country racing – but he had to work hard and run down 2019 winner Handle The Truth to do it.

There were no hiccups for Art Cadeau but wasn’t a smooth build up for Robinson, who was knocked out and suffered several injuries six weeks ago but was on track to savour the victory – albeit still dealing with bouts of vertigo.

“I had a bad fall six weeks ago and my brother has actually ridden the horse most of his work since,’’ Robinson said.

“I was just fortunate he was able to come back and give me a hand, and Tara, my strapper Maddie and my wife. I’m so lucky. Aim for it again next year? If he hangs together and everything goes to plan, why not?”

Virtually from the day Art Cadeau won the Country Championships Final back in April, Robinson wanted to tackle the Kosciuszko first-up and he timed things to the minute.

He’s a horse that just doesn’t know he’s beaten and when Handle The Truth appeared to be travelling like a winner into the straight, Art Cadeau was rushed along by Tommy Berry to chase him.

It took him a while to wind up but wind up he did and the Shoalhaven Heads trainer couldn’t have been prouder of the horse.

“I didn’t think he was ever going to get there,’’ he said.

“I knew he’d be strong and I always knew he’d just find. He just keeps giving. He’s never beat that horse.

“It is a wonderful feeling to be here. He is just a super horse. For Mick (Lill, owner), you must have the greatest smile on your face.

“He has been a trainer, he bred this horse and it is a great result for him, my staff and my family.”

Berry clearly revelled in riding in front of people and he returned to the roars of the Covid capacity 10,000 crowd, taking him right up past the 150m mark, cheering Art Cadeau's success.

He said even though Art Cadeau has now won the two biggest races for country horse he’s still not sure where the gelding’s limits are.

Art Cadeau wins the Kosciuszko

He’s adamant he’s better over at least 1400m but echoed Robinson’s sentiments that the horse is just a genuine trier.

“A lot of people where querying whether Terry could do it first up. He knows this horse back to front,’’ Berry said.

“He had a bit of work to do at the top of the straight. Everytime we raise the bar he keeps jumping it.

“He loves to get in a bit of a battle. He beat one of those hard heads that was competing in group races.”

All the results and replays from TAB Everest Day at Randwick