The Rumour File rings true in Rosehill win

A horse named after a segment on part-owner Ross Stevenson’s popular Melbourne radio show has landed at huge odds.

The Rumor File defied his $61 starting price to score a nail-biting win in Saturday’s HQ Insurance Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill.

The judge gave The Rumour File the nod over Hunter Jack ($13) with Shalmaneser ($21) half a length behind them in third.

Trainer Chris Waller said Stevenson, who co-hosts 3AW Breakfast with John Burns, and his fellow owners watched the race in Melbourne.

Crown Resorts chief executive Rowen Craigie and Herald and Weekly Times managing director Peter Blunden also have a share in the horse.

“They’re all mad Hawthorn supporters and they were going for lunch and watching it,” Waller said.

“The phone will be red hot.”

It was a major turnaround in form for The Rumour File who has struggled since arriving in Australia from France where he won three races from five starts.

Waller said the horse’s improvement at trackwork had convinced him he would be competitive.

“He’s a horse we’ve always thought a bit off,” Waller said.

“After his last run I said to someone in the stable ‘let’s not just be sending these horses around when they’ve got no chance. He’s got to start proving himself at home before we look for the right race for him’.”

The Rumour File was second last on the home turn but swooped home late under jockey Josh Parr.