15 January 2018 | Graham Fischer
Daquiri, an impressive winner of the Group 2 2018 Ubet SA Trotters Cup (2645m) is proving an astute purchase by Victorian trainer Phillip Walters.
The five-year-old cost just $5000 when purchased in February last year.
At Globe Derby Park, Daquiri scored his sixth, and biggest win, for his new connections with an authoritative victory.
Driven by Austin Mifsud, Daquiri ($4.20) scored by 12-1/2 metres from Our Twentyten ($4.90) with Ainthatrightmacca ($10.90), four metres away third.
After working to the lead, Mifsud rated the gelding perfectly before going for home with 600 metres to travel.
“After such a soft run I knew nothing would be able to catch him,” Mifsud said.
“So I went for home and he was never challenged.”
Walters said he had watched the squaregaiter for a while before asking to buy him after the gelding had finished unplaced at Yarra Valley.
“When I got him home I gave him a bit of break, fixed a few sore spots and worked on his shoes and you can see the result,” Walters said.
“I think he is improving all the time.
“We had a few issues with him not trotting away from the stands, but he is now proving foolproof and he has very good early speed.”
Walters said he was unsure about future plans for Daquiri.
“Originally I was going for the Victorian Country Cups circuit but now the Great Southern Star at Melton on January 27 is on the agenda.
“We will go home and make a decision then.”
Runner-up Our Twentyten came off a 10 metre handicap and settled back in the field but ran home well for trainer Brent Lilley and driver Rodney Petroff without ever looking likely to catch the winner.
Ainthatrightmacca trailed the runner-up home to take third for trainer Michael Gadsden and driver Denbeigh Wade.
South Australian trotter Al Bundy ran a heavily backed $2.50 favourite but faded to finish fifth after sitting parked.
His stablemate Rocknroll Baby ran a creditable fourth.
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