by Graham Fischer
Improving pacer Futurist came up the victor in the ‘last man standing’ 2017 Platinum AG Services Strathalbyn Pacing Cup (2110m) at Strathalbyn on Monday, June 12.
The $2.80 favourite, Futurist outstayed his rivals up the home straight to score a one metre win from Bettor Party ($3.80), with the winner’s stablemate Whenmechief ($5.20), a nose away third.
“He was out on his feet getting to the home turn,” trainer-driver Darren Billinger said, “but fortunately so were those chasing him.
“I just kept asking him to find a bit more and while the home straight seemed longer he was good enough to win.”
Futurist will now head to Victoria for a heat of the Vicbred Super Series at Ballarat on Friday, June 23.
“He will be a 50/1 chance, but he’s eligible and has earned a chance.
“People said we were mad when we took Come On Frank across and he proved them wrong. I’m not saying this bloke is Come On Frank, but he deserves a chance and the bonus is that there are Silver and Bronze races which give him the chance to race for good prizemoney.”
The Strathalbyn Cup was a race right from the mobile release.
Sir Julian ($16.70), driven by Justin Brewin, kicked through from gate one to hold the early challenges for the lead, mainly from Ryan Hryhorec on Tezz Khora ($10). After failing once, Hryhorec decided to go again and as the field went into the back straight he challenged for the lead, and after a short battle, assumed control.
All the while, Futurist was in third spot, chasing the front pair and no sooner had Tezz Khora taken the lead than Billinger asked his drive to go forward and he eventually took control.
The result was a sizzling lead time of 35.3 seconds and a first quarter of 29.7.
Billinger tried for an easy second quarter with a 31.4, but then Danielle Hill, on Bettor Party, came wide from back in the field and moved around three wide to challenge with a lap to go and he was forced to speed up again.
On a soft surface, Futurist ran a 29.2 third quarter as Whenmechief and Bettor Party drew clear from the rest of the field to issue the challenges.
In a survival of the fittest, Futurist kept going to win with Bettor Party snatching second in the final few bounds.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
