It has been 22 years since we've seen a horse go back-to-back in the form of Van Winkle ridden by Lance O'Sullivan. A masterful ride as O'Sullivan took the Evan and JJ Rayner trained gelding to the outside rail, heading straight for the trees that line the back straight. A tactic which paid off with a comfortable win. They returned the following year in 2002, and although they couldn't get to the outside fence it was no problem for Van Winkle who fought right down to the wire to secure another Taumaranui Gold Cup victory!