07 January 2018 | Shane Yates
Full Speed Ahead capped off a memorable first week of 2018 by adding Friday night’s Bridport Hotel North Eastern Pacing Cup at Scottsdale to its success in the St. Marys Cup on New Years Day.
This time around there was no Solid As Rock for Full Speed Ahead (pictured) to share the spoils with.
The eight-year-old began safely from the stand start and trainer-driver Todd Rattray wasted no time in manoeuvring the former Queenslander and race favourite ($2.10) into the one-out, one back position.
John Walters retained the pole advantage with last year’s Raider Stakes winner Timely Sovereign for local Lietinna trainer Kent Rattray and set a strong pace out in front.
The Steven Davis prepared Black Centurian, runner-up in the Cup for the past two years, quickly made ground from its 30-metre handicap to tack on to the tail of the field in the early stages.
Walters kept the fast tempo up with Timely Sovereign into the final circuit as Full Speed Ahead drew level with the front-runner inside the 400 metres.
Black Centurian was looming as a major threat as Barrie Rattray made his run out four-wide down the side of the track but Full Speed Ahead had other ideas on the turn drawing clear of Timely Sovereign and then holding off the fast-finishing Black Centurian to win by a head with the early leader 4.8 metres away third.
Full Speed Ahead changed hands during the week with new owners Ian and Brett Collins and Peter Jones ecstatic with the Cup victory.
Todd Rattray spoke with Tasracing’s Duncan Dornauf trackside after the Cup and said he will speak to the new owners on Tuesday before deciding Full Speed Ahead’s immediate future.
The group has many options to discuss with the Burnie Cup on Sunday, January 14 and an array of other Cup temptations including the Devonport, New Norfolk and Carrick Cup.
Todd finished the night with a training and driving double with Invest winning race one and shared the driving honours for the meeting with Rohan Hadley who drove Diddley Bo ($11) and Jeans Mattjesty ($10.50).
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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