Reinsman Rodney Petroff says Our Twentyten is “right up there” with his favourites.
The Kurunjang horseman, who last season steered the gun trotter to a Breeders Crown victory, last night drove the gelding to a second successive Seelite Windows and Doors Mildura Trotters Cup triumph.
“He’s right up there with the better ones (I’ve driven) that’s for sure,” Petroff said.
“He’s a good horse and when you have a good trainer to go with it then that really helps.”
The Brent Lilley-trained five-year-old by Muscles Yankee out of Regal Volo is a two-time Breeders Crown champion (at three and four).
Down the back the final time in last night’s 2600-metre event Petroff moved Our Twentyten back to the peg line as Herecomes The Cat weakened out, saving ground behind leader Pocketfullofcash before easing to its outside swinging for home.
Once they straightened Our Twentyten let down strongly to defend his Mildura crown in a track record mile rate of 2:02.7, defeating Pocketfullofcash by 8.9m with Maorisfavouritesun over 20m away in third.
“Winning two Mildura Trotters Cups in a row is a really good feeling, especially on a special horse like him,” Petroff said.
“I was more confident down the back when I switched back to the inside. You do your form and I knew the leader always runs a good race in front, so he was the horse to be following.”
Our Twentyten started from a 20m handicap alongside fellow backmarker The Boss Man, who galloped around the final turn last night when about to loom as a huge danger.
Race favourite Quite A Moment, a Great Southern Star placegetter with form around Monbet, worked in the breeze after failing in his bid to find the lead. He was beaten 31.9m in fourth.
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