Zedalite got over the line in Wednesday's Hamilton Trotters Cup.
Ultra consistent pacing bred five year old Zooma/Rememberance Day gelding Zedalite claimed his second Cup victory this season, when a narrow but strong winner of the $12,000 Mountain View Stud Hamilton Trotters Cup for T5 or better class (Discretionary Handicapped) over 2660 metres at Hamilton on Wednesday January 29.
Coming off a nose second to Trappers Puzzle in the South Australian Trotters Cup on January 11 after leading, Zedalite starting from 10 metres settled five back in the running line, with Joe Attard adopting “catch me if you can” tactics with in-form gelding El Paco (barrier four).
Eased three wide racing for the bell by regular reinsman Rod Petroff, Zedalite moved outside the front runner approaching the home turn after Paparazzi Snapshot which had been in the open gave ground.
In a titanic duel all the way up the running, Zedalite prevailed by a nose in a thrilling finish, with the Mount Gambier Trotters Cup winner Here Comes The Cat (one/two) 4.4 metres away in third place after peeling off a three wide trail in the last lap.
Bred and raced by Broomfield residents David and Beth Davidson, Zedalite trained at Bolinda by Brent Lilley recorded a mile rate of 2-02.6 (last half mile 59.4 – quarter 29.5) to chalk up his 19th victory in 63 race appearances.
Further heats of the Tontine Pacers Series for C2 to C4 class over 2160 metres continued at Hamilton – the second resulting in a dead-heat between Bolinda trainer Vince Vallelonga’s Manuka Man and Lara mentor Dean Braun’s Mister Livan in a mile rate of 1-57.2.
Five year old Our Sir Vancelot/Mother Case gelding Manuka Man (Greg Sugars) raced in the open from gate three, shadowing the heavily supported Jilliby Master from the Terang stable of Glen Craven, with four year old Live Or Die/Van Hope gelding Mister Livan (gate five) first up since August following him throughout.
Taking care of the leader on turning, Manuka Man kicked clear, with Mister Livan and Chris Alford in hot pursuit out wide.
Holding a margin all the way to the wire, Manuka Man was nabbed right on the wire by Mister Livan, with the judge unable to separate the pair. Jilliby Master battled away to finish third 2.6 metres away.
Dean Braun was to land the 3rd Heat of the pacers with Kiwi import Bushrod which had raced well through the recent Central Victorian Pacing Championships.
Again with Chris Alford in the sulky, Bushrod (gate four) settled one/one momentarily, before whizzing up to tackle Kerryn Manning’s polemarker Gotta Go Yankee and striding by in the back straight on the first occasion.
Greg Sugars aboard the hot favourite Flaming Flutter eased three wide from last approaching the bell to park in the open for the final circuit.
Going down the back straight the final time, Bushrod hung away from the markers allowing Gotta Go Yankee to lead approaching the final bend and look the winner.
Gaining his second wind in the straight, Bushrod came again, producing a strong effort to defeat Flaming Flutter which wouldn’t be denied by 2.7 metres in a slick 1-55.9, with Gotta Go Yankee first up since August weakening to finish third 3.2 metres from the winner.
Raced by a large syndicate including race caller Dan Mielicki’s wife Tanya and bookmaker Frank Hudson, Bushrod a gelded son of Washington Vc and Viva La Cc has fronted the starter 31 times (six in Australia) for 7 wins.
