Sutherland extended his hot run of form to the picnic circuit as Tearful Kitty and Oh What A Thief took out the two features on the card.

Tearful Kitty ($4.60) worked to the front and held off odds-on favourite Cryfowl to take out the $6500 Lockhart Ex-Servicemens Verandah Town Cup (1400m).

That was after Oh What A Thief ($2.00) scored a first up victory in the $5000 NAB Open Trophy Handicap (930m).

Both were ridden to victory by Jody Hughes.

Sutherland was thrilled after claiming the Cup for a third time.

“It’s been a good day,” Sutherland said.

“I thought the two in the trophy races would be hard to beat. She rode them well so it was good. 

“Leone Watson, the Watsons, they come from out this way so it was nice to bring her here today and win that, it’s a bit of fun for them. It’s always nice to win these Cup races.”

Tearful Kitty made all her own luck in front and held off the brave Cryfowl ($1.80) in a tight finish. There was a further six lengths back to It Could Be You ($26.00) in third place.

Tearful Kitty took 19 starts to break through for a maiden win when she scored at the Cootamundra picnics. She has since gone on to win eight races and earn just under $70,000 in career earnings.

“I’m really happy with that mare. She’s just one of those mares you would love to train,” Sutherland said.

“She just gets better and better with age. She tries and tries. I still think there’s quite a fair bit left in her.

“I remember when I first started breaking in 20 years ago, Richard Freyer said you’ve got to give a horse 20 starts before you know it’s any good. I’ve always half left it in my mind.

“I paid a bit of money for this mare early and she just wasn’t there, it was immaturity but they get rewarded now for their loyalty and she’s got a nice page, that’s seven or eight she’s won now, she’s been very competitive at TAB meetings this season and winning a few.”  

It will hopefully kick off a big few days for Sutherland.

He is taking four of his team – Riverbend Chief, Gentleman Max, Willy White Socks and My Maher – to Randwick to run on Spring Champion Stakes day.

The bonus for Sutherland is his team will be met by a heavy track. 

“It’s a very hard day up there of course,” he said.

“Most of mine handle that wet, it’s going to be very heavy by the sound of it.

“Gentleman Max will really enjoy it. I’ve been trying to wait until it did rain and it’s worked out really good. I probably would her preferred it being a heavy 10 on a mile but I think he’s still going good enough that he’ll run that 2000 out good.

“We’re there and they seem well at the moment so it will be good to go.”

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