Josh Collins and Cornel were one of just two combinations to jump double clear in Saturday night’s 4CYTE World Cup Qualifier at Willinga Park. Their second-round time of 49.34 seconds put them 4.47 seconds ahead of James Mooney and KPH Cavatina, giving Josh and Cornel the win in a field of 29.

Gavin Chester’s first-round course left little room for error. Only four combinations finished without penalties: Josh and Cornel, James and KPH Cavatina, Tori Stuckey and Jaybee Ballon Dor, and Emma Collins and Oaks Abracadabra. Josh and Cornel finished in 79.05 seconds, just 0.95 seconds inside the time allowed.

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James kept the pressure on with a second clear aboard his grey mare, finishing on zero penalties in 53.81 seconds. Josh and Cornel answered with another clear and the quicker time. Emma retired in Round Two, while Tori finished with four penalties to take fourth.

For Josh and Cornel, Willinga has a history. They won the Grand Prix Spectacular here in 2022 with a double clear, then returned to finish fifth in the 2025 World Cup Qualifier, again without a penalty across two rounds. This time, the clear rounds brought them the World Cup win.

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There were strong second rounds behind the leading pair. Rhys Stones and Riverton Kanntador were the fastest in Round Two at 47.12 seconds, but four penalties from the first round left them third overall. Tori took fourth, followed by Jess Brown and Elysian Fields Oceanus in fifth. Molly Moffatt and Lazarus GNZ finished sixth.

Josh and Cornel leave Willinga with the $10,000 first prize and a fantastic result built on two clear rounds when only one other combination could match them.

Full Results: https://online.equipe.com/startlists/1299272