By Duane Ranger
Bettor Spirits is the Palmerston North City Gold Cup champion for 2017, but make the most of him now before he crosses the ditch in the winter.
The son of Bettor’s Delight justified his $2.80 favouritism in the $14,000 feature event for the up to R90 rated pacers at Manawatu Raceway last Friday, but his Cambridge trainer Mike Berger, said he was now running out of options for the underrated 5-year-old.
“The handicapping system has meant he’s virtually reached his mark now, and to be fair the races for him here are now few and far between.
“The main target for him now is the (North island) Country Cups Final at Cambridge on Anzac Day and then we will take it from there. We have a share in him. He might bowl around in the winter here, but I will talk to the other owners and take it from there,” Berger said.
“I think he would make a lot more money off even marks in Australia,” he added.
Bettor Spirits started from seven on the front-line and driver Philip Butcher rushed him out of the gate early to lead after 200 metres.
The talented brown entire was then headed in the home straight by Imajollywally and Arna Donnelly, but fought back gamely to win the 2500m mobile by a head in 3:08.1 (mile rate 2:01 even) – and last 800m and 400m in 60.2 and 29 flat.
It was the 5-year-old’s 14th win in 67 starts. He’s also placed 15 times and now won just over $212,500 in stakes.
“I really enjoyed the way he lifted himself off the canvas to fight back and win on Friday. He’s never been up there with the best of his age, but he hasn’t been far away.
“I think he’s very much underrated and it was nice to see him get a start off the front the other night. Not many horses win $200,000. We only paid $28,000 for him,” Berger said.
Bettor Spirits might not have won a Group race but bettor Spirits has placed in two Gorp Ones – the Cardigan Bay/Young Guns Final and the Harness Jewels Emerald Final – both in 2014. The entire also placed in last year’s Group Three Kumeu Founders Cup.
“He’s been a good horse to me. He’s a lovely gaited pacer and has been well looked after by Phil in his races. That’s what I like about Phil. He doesn’t always get the best horses to drive but they always come through their races unscathed when he’s aboard.
“He really looks after them and he’s a valuable part of our team on race-day,” Berger said.
Berger said he was encouraged by Bettor Spirits’ latest triumph.
“He needed that win after racing in better quality fields at Alexandra Park and Cambridge recently. I think that race will give him the confidence he needs going into the Country Cups Final.
“He’s a solid horse now and needs the work into him, so I think I will give him one more race before Anzac Day,” Berger said.
Bettor Spirits is the fifth of 10 foals out of the maiden In The Pocket – Spirit Of Bethlehem (Soky’s Atom) mare, Spirit Of Eros.
He was bred by Woodlands Stud and is owned by Berger’s wife Brenda, Mary Corboy (Howick), Glen Rowe (Featherston), and Queenslander, Tracey Cort.
Meanwhile, the Geoff Small trained Father Frank and the Doug Gale trained Black Chevron (Bettor’s Delight – Waldheim Rainship) were the only horses to win on both days of the Manawatu meeting.
They have now won three and two races respectively.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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