Just A Dash - Melbourne Cup Winner 1981

Just A Dash was by the American sire Whiskey Road from the mare Native Lass and was foaled near Canberra in 1977 and was one of only two Melbourne Cup winners trained by the legendary T J Smith. (His other was Toparoa in 1955.)

Just A Dash won the 1981 Melbourne Cup defeating El Laurena and Flashing Light in the time of 3.21.2 ridden by Peter Cook whose father, Billy Cook, also won the melbourne Cup in 1941 on Skipton and 1945 on Rainbird. In fact they are the only father-son combination to have won this great race.

Carrying 53.5 kgs and starting at 15/1, Just A Dash picked up what now seems like a modest $310,000 in prize money.

Prior to winning the great race, Just A Dash had run 2nd i the Underwood Stakes over 2000m, 4th in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m), 7th in the Herbert Power Handicap (2400m), 6th in the Caulfield Cup with 54 kgs and fifth in the Dalgety over 2500m with 56.5 kgs.

It was mega owner Lloyd Williams first Melbourne Cup, winning again in 1985 with What A Nuisance and also in 2007 with Efficient.

It was a big punting day for Williams in 1981 who later said: "I think we got between $600,000 and $700,000 but then I also cleaned up on the daily double as I owned the second leg winner That's The Time."

Williams had seen Just A Dash as a three year old in Sydney, bought him with business partners Tom Pettiona and George Frew and gave him to T J Smith with the mission to win the Adelaide Cup and Melbourne Cup. Just A Dash won the Adelaide Cup also in 1981.

Just A Dash's win in the Melbourne Cup can be viewed by clicking here

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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