All eyes will turn to Cranbourne this Saturday night for the Decron Cranbourne Gold Cup, with star-studded fields assembled for the night’s two Group 1 races.
Gun Kiwi pacer and recent A.G. Hunter Cup runner-up Ohoka Punter headlines the field of 10 for the feature race, the $100,000 Decron Cranbourne Gold Cup, and has drawn favourably in gate two.
Other key acceptors include last year’s Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series Final (for four-year-old entires and geldings) winner Messini, country cups aficionado Im Corzin Terror, who has drawn pole, and up-and-coming Yankee Rockstar, who drew gate 10.
Ohoka Punter is the early favourite at $1.75 with TAB.com.au fixed odds to take out the Cup, followed by Messini at $4.
Keystone Del, trained by Brent Lilley, heads the entries for the night’s other Group 1 race, the $50,325 Aldebaran Park Knight Pistol. The champion trotter has won 34 of his 56 career starts, eight of those being Group 1 races including the Group 1 Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Mile at the last Cranbourne Pacing Cup night.
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Keystone Del will be joined by the likes of last-start Group 1 Maori Mile winner Glenferrie Typhoon and promising mare Arboe, who has finished in the money at her past two stars at Group 1 level.
Locally trained colt Soho Tribeca, from Jayne Davies’ stable, is currently the $1.95 favourite for the other stakes race on Cup night, the Group 3 Caduceus Club Cup, from an exciting field of three-year-olds.
Cranbourne Harness Racing Club CEO Neil Bainbridge said large, quality fields have added to what was already shaping up to be a great Decron Cranbourne Gold Cup.
“It’s a great boon for the club to have a bevy of Group 1 winners and champions of the sport making their way to Cranbourne for our premier event,” he said.
“It’s sure to be a great night of exciting, top-class racing on the track, complimented by plenty of fun and entertainment trackside.
“Our Celebrity Double Seater Sulky Challenge is back this year, with SEN’s Daniel Harford, Western Bulldogs star Stewie Crameri, Sky Channel’s Gareth Hall and one lucky patron on the night to be seated next to some of the sport’s top drivers for a fun and entertaining race.
“Racegoers will also have a chance to enter the TrotSelfies competition, the TrotsCruiser competition, enjoy live music and great food on the lawn or from the Carlton Draught Beer Garden and there will be activities for the kids.
“Weather forecasts predict a balmy autumn night, so make sure you come along to Cranbourne this Saturday night, or book one of our great hospitality packages now which still have some availability left.”
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO BUY INTO FILLY ON CRANBOURNE CUP NIGHT
General admission costs $15 for adults and under-18 are free. Gates will open at 4pm, with the first race at 6.05pm and the last at 10.30pm.
Call the Club on 5996 1300 to book a hospitality package or visit cranbourneharness.org for more information.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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