by Chris Barsby
That winning feeling is hard to shake.
And leading driver Chris Petroff is hoping it continues this weekend.
Fresh from his success last week which landed him the Gr.1 $100,000 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sale Series Final aboard Gold Reactor, the six times winning Group One winning reinsman is chasing more success at the bayside club tomorrow night.
Petroff is booked to drive veteran pacer Hokonui Ben for trainer Trevor Lambourn in the Gr.3 $30,000 Moreton Bay Regional Council Redcliffe Gold Cup, a pacer that returned to the winner’s list for the first time in 1137 days last week when leading throughout.
And now he’s aiming for back to back victories in the 2613m stand-start feature.
“He’s a very good beginner and he’s a good chance again going on what he did last week, obviously this is harder but it’s not a vintage Redcliffe Cup field and if he finds the front again they will know he’s in the race.” Petroff said.
Hokonui Ben had not won since winning the Memorial Day Pace at Gloucester Park in Perth on April 25, 2014 for trainer/driver Aldo Cortopassi.
The Washington VC gelding was previously raced by Brisbane based enthusiast Jeroen Nieuwenburg and enjoyed tremendous success with the richly talented pacer who was originally placed in the care of leading horseman Gary Hall.
Major victories included the 2014 $400,000 WA Pacing Cup, $60,000 Village Kid Sprint, $50,000 Bunbury Cup, $50,000 Nights of Thunder Final and the $30,000 Navy Cup.
But injury forced him off the scene for some time while many stable changes took place in an effort to reignite his career.
Ultimately, he was purchased by Jamie Durnberger-Smith after competing in a claiming event at TABCORP Park, Menangle last year.
In his first start for his new connections, the ten-year-old failed badly in the Christmas Cup at Kilcoy (grass circuit), a far cry from his glory days in Perth.
But perseverance and persistency has paid dividends.
And victory in the Redcliffe Gold Cup would cap a remarkable comeback.
“If he steps as quickly as he did last week, he’s right in the mix. His manners are his best asset, he’s a very good stand start beginner and that gives him a really good shot.
“His sectionals were solid and this track is a great leveler, if some of the more fancied runners strike some trouble or traffic that will give us a really good chance.”
Hokonui Ben has been placed in both starts at Redcliffe, winning last week while finishing third behind Western Blaze and Teo Enteo last month.
Gambling giant UBET has listed Hughie Green as the favourite at $3.30 while Hokonui Ben is quoted at $6.50.
Petroff won the 2011 Redcliffe Gold Cup aboard the Brett Cargill trained Our White Knight.
The Redcliffe Gold Cup is listed as race 5 and is scheduled to start at 8.34pm local time.
In the other feature on the program, Petroff is listed to drive Sparkling Tachyon for trainer Craig Cross in the $20,000 Hustler Redcliffe Oaks.
The Mach Three filly is having her first start since February 7.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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