Natural Player has given Mark Wilcox his second straight Workers Club Goulburn Cup, with the son of Knocka Norris taking out the $10,000-to-the-winner race on Sunday.
Jumping from box two, Natural Player began brilliantly, taking the lead early from Pierro Kade in the 457m feature race.
As the field rounded the bend, Natural Player began to pull away and was soon in an unassailable lead, eventually winning by 3 1/4 lengths in a time of 25.36 - 0.05 outside of Paua To Roar's track record.
Wilcox was over the moon with his chaser's run and admits to being quite confident before the race.
Silent Effective overcame a moderate start to rocket home for second, while Pierro Kade held on for third, almost four lengths adrift of Silent Effective.
"I'm thrilled with his run. Everything went to plan which never usually happens, so it was great to see him get up," Wilcox said.
"A few dogs were drawn badly but we ended with a great box and I knew if we could just get to the lead and didn't cop any interference he would probably go close.
"That's exactly what happened and I guess the rest is history now."
Wilcox will now play it by ear with Natural Player, but hopes to target some big races at the start of next year if Everything goes to plan.
"He's pulled up really well and is ready to go again when the time's right," Wilcox said.
"We'll just plug along for the time being but I might have a look at the Shepparton Cup in Febuary depending on how he is.
"He's getting older now so we just have to be a little more careful and manage them better."
The win for Natural Player was his 27th from 41 starts and takes his prizemoney earnings to almost $45,000.
For Wilcox, it was his second straight Goulburn Cup, with the Bringelly trainer taking out the 2013 with Knocka's Return, who is Natural Player's littermate.
The trainer was chuffed to have taken out the race yet again.
"I really like Goulburn and you always hope going into these races that you win, so when you actually do it's great."
