Five months ago, trainer-driver Paul Fidge had never won a cup race in harness racing, today he has four on the mantelpiece thanks to South Australia’s top trotter Pocketfullofcash.
On Saturday night, Pocketfullofcash, which carries the stable name of ‘Bandit’, gave arguably the best performance of his stellar career to take out the 2016 SA Square Trotters Association Gramel Trotters Cup (2645m).
Despite an imposing record, Pocketfullofcash started at $3.20 with punters preferring the Victorian Oh Nova ($2.50) as favourite with both horses coming off 40 metres in the handicap event.
At the finish, Fidge and his six-year-old tasted success with a 3-1/2 metre win from Oh Nova with Rejuvenation ($8), also off 40 metres, seven metres away third.
Pocketfullofcash started his cups collection with a win in Robs Rural Services Trotters Cup at Victor Harbor on Monday, January 25. He then went on to win the Fred Jones Trotters Cup at Globe Derby Park on March 12 and the Gawler Hambeltonian Trotters Cup at the same venue on April 2.
“Tonight is special,” Fidge said, “but all the cups have also been special.
“It has been great to set out to win four features and come home with all of them.”
Fidge deserves great credit for Pocketfullofcash’s form as he has spent countless hours working to get the gelding to where is today.
Early on when sent to Fidge by owners Wade Knight and Lee-Anne Ferguson, the gelding lived up to his stable name being a bit of rogue and galloping as often as he trotted but perseverance has paid off.
Pocketfullofcash has had eight wins from his past 18 starts and that has included several pacers races plus the SA Trotters Cup and the Seelite Trotters Cup at Mildura.
On Saturday night Fidge drove with his normal aggression and confidence laying down the challenge to Oh Nova to outstay him.
All horses trotted away nicely and after a lap with the field settled, Fidge opted to come wide from last with Pocketfullofcash but Josh Duggan, on Oh Nova, in the running line, came out in front and sprinted up then led the South Australian go past to sit parked.
Once outside the leader Fidge had a try for the lead but Ken Rogers on Tommy Kay wanted to keep front spot. However, by being parked, he was able to keep the pressure on with 30.8, 30.7 and 30.7 quarters before coming home in 29.8.
Tommy Kay battled hard but was beaten before the home turn and it was left to Oh Nova to try and challenge but she couldn’t run down the bold South Australian.
Fidge said the time had come to try and test his champ against the Victorians on their home tracks.
The 2016 $20,575 Bendigo Bank Bendigo Trotters Cup (2650m) on Saturday, June 11 is a possible target but before then the gelding is likely to take on the pacers again at Globe Derby Park on Monday.
The Gramel Cup is a time-honoured race in South Australia with many wonderful winners including Touch Merchant (four times), Court Jester, El Cordobies, Lenin and Knight Pistol (three times). Pocketfullofcash joins that list, and is a worthy addition.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
