by Cody Winnell
Bad Boy Brad’s ascension continued on Saturday night in front of a large crowd at Tabcorp Park Melton, taking out the 2017 Exclusive Homes Maltese Cup.
The Diane Giles trained six-year-old produced a withering sprint for driver Lance Justice to capture the silverware in a stirring four-way finish, with first through to fourth separated by not much more than a long head.
The Gunbower Cup winner has already won six races from 21 starts this season, Bad Boy Brad’s assessment climbing from C7-M0 to M3-C12.
Video: Re-live Bad Boy Brad’s Maltese Cup win
Bad Boy Brad (Righteous Hanover-Bubbas Babe) rated 1:54.1 to overhaul south-west Victorian pair Jivin Cullen (trained by Brad Hunt and driven by Glen Craven) in a photo finish officially by a half-head, with a head further back to Roy George (Matthew Craven) and another head to Upanatom (David Aiken/Mark Pitt) in fourth.
Bad Boy Brad launched late down the outside against a 27.7 last quarter and a 28secs third split and looks destined for bigger assignments again.
Long Forest husband and wife team Andy and Kate Gath secured a winning double and three second placings for the night, successful with trotters Clover Mac (Dream Vacation-Clover Lass) in the SEW Eurodrive Trotters Handicap in 2:00.3 from the 2240-metre standing start and Posseidon (Fling It-Maori Acacia) in the Rayner Real Estate 3YO Trot over 1720m in 1:59.8.
Click here to view all results from Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night
Click here to listen to the winning drivers on HRV YouTube
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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