The wait has ended for one of racing's most famous families.
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Father and son David and Ben Hayes, in partnership with Tom Dabernig, added their names to the Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup honour roll on the final day of Warrnambool's May Racing Carnival.
Their galloper, top-weight Furrion, expertly ridden by Irishman John Allen, scooted away coming off the home turn to set up the win.
Moments after crossing the line, an excited 29-year-old Ben Hayes reached for his mobile phone to answer a call.
The three-letter word on the screen 'Dad' said it all.
"So Dad's happy," Ben beamed after a short conversation.
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The Hayes family, firstly Colin and then sons Peter and David had never claimed the carnival's feature flat race in decades gone by.
"He (Dad) has always wanted to win one and it's good to do it in partnership with him," Ben said.
"The father is very happy and Tom as well.
"Tom and Dad I bet they wish they were here.
"It's a big thrill to get a double at the 'Bool.
"How good is the 'Bool."
Ben said it was only his second trip to Warrnambool and while his family had wanted to claim the feature flat race, they had never really targeted big numbers at the carnival.
The fourth-year trainer said the four-year-old gelding had a bright future.
The Gerry Ryan-owned galloper, previously trained by Darren Weir, would now be spelled.
"We will set him on a Caulfield Cup campaign," Ben said.
He said with the top weight of 58 kilograms, Furrion had proved he could run a strong 2350m. He suggested the weight meant he would be able to finish off the Caulfield Cup distance of 2400m well.
Hayes described jockey John Allen's ride as "10 out of 10".
Allen etched his name into the record books as the only jockey to have won two Grand Annual Steeplechases and two Warrnambool Cups, having won the flat race last year on Gallic Chieftain.
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