WARRNAMBOOL galloper Baughurst produced a brilliant rail riding performance to clinch the $150,000 Werribee Cup on Wednesday.

Baughurst went into the race with value at $12 and beat home hot favourite Extend ($2.90) and Saliente ($10) with a fighting run.

The horse hugged the rail in its most impressive performance to date, thanks to a brilliant ride from jockey Michael Rodd.

Trainer Bill Wilde was in Tasmania when the gelding saluted in the 2000-metre cup at Werribee Racecourse.

He said the stable was hopeful rather than confident heading into the race, but a dream run and ride from Rodd pocketed Wilde and Baughurst’s connections the $90,000 prize money.

“He was in the right race for this time of the year so we were hopeful,” Wilde said.

“Obviously the horse population is diluted at this time of the year and with the EI (equine influenza) problem as well, these big country cups are not quite as strong.

“He drew a good gate, had a very good rider on him as well but probably the price he was at reflected his chances.

“He did have a beautiful run and he was in very good form as he had a nice lead-up run in the Horsham Cup.”

Wilde left his son Simon in charge on Wednesday, and said it was always the plan to hug the rail.

But they couldn’t have dreamed for a better run.

“We decided that the rail was the place to be and we had certainly drawn a good gate to get the rail,” Wilde said.

“He hasn’t got the early speed to really bounce out and control the race, so he did get back.

“They rode him for luck and it all panned out beautifully.

“They all left the fence, he peeled off and he got the gun run.”

Baughurst may run in the approaching Bendigo and Ballarat cups, but this is yet to be decided.