Supporters of South Australian cult hero Come On Frank will still be counting the cash following his brilliant return to racing to win the Trotsguide.Com.Au Italian Cup (1800m) at Globe Derby Park.
Betting agencies, for whatever reason, thought Come On Frank had too much of a challenge from gate 13 in the Italian Cup and bet as much as $15 about South Australia’s favourite pacer before sending him out a $10.90 chance.
Brilliantly driven by trainer Darren Billinger, Come on Frank wound up a 2-1/2metre winner of the Italian Cup from Victorian Mister Mundaka ($2.10 fav) with Cheap Tint ($4.30) 1-1/2 metres away third.
An emotional Billinger held his whip high in the shadows of the finish to signify Come On Frank was back doing what he does best – winning.
Come On Frank, the pacer with his own Facebook page, has now won 56 races from 111 starts for a winning strike rate of better than 50 per cent and take his stakes to more than $386,000.
Billinger’s drive was masterful.
“I was drawn to come out behind The Smiler who is a very quick beginner,” Billinger said.
“When Cheap Tint was able to hold the lead from gate four with The Smiler outside him I decided to head forward and get to outside the leader where I could help control the race.
“It was a scenario I thought could happen and when it did I was very happy.
“While he hadn’t raced since mid-September, Frank was working as well as ever, which is not really saying all that much, but he was as sound as he has been for a long time.
“We had a really comfortable second quarter (31.2) so I was able to put the pressure on over the final 400 metres with 28.6 and 29.2 and that was enough to win.”
Billinger didn’t escape the race incident free, after the line another runner struck the wheel of his bike wrecking the wheel to he had to walk back to the stalls carrying the bike and steering Come On Frank.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
