News Article
Another Bold Upset
04 December 2009
Daryl Douglas (inside) looks down as Bold Cruiser and Mr Feelgood lock wheels towards the end of the Popular Alm FFA
Bold Cruiser posted another notch in his giant-killing belt when he won tonight’s SEW-Eurodrive Popular Alm Free-For-All at Tabcorp Park, Melton.
The Glenn Douglas-trained gelding who has built a career on upset wins was again the bane of favourite backers when he was awarded the $30,000 Group 3 event.
The eight-year-old added the 2240-metre feature to his CV when he beat $3 favourite Mr Feelgood on protest.
He finished a head behind the reigning Watpac Inter Dominion champion at the end of the race, but the pair locked wheels over the concluding stages when Mr Feelgood shifted into Express Post Lane.
Stewards determined that deprived Bold Cruiser ($6.50) of his shot at winning the race
“The two horses locked wheels, which was confirmed by both drivers, and stewards determined that had that not happened Bold Cruiser would have won the race,” HRV chairman of stewards Cameron George explained.
Bold Cruiser’s promotion earned him a ballot exemption from next Friday night’s $400,000 Group 1 SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup.
The Grand Circuit-winning gelding took his earnings beyond $500,000 with the 23rd win of his 136-start career. The $20,250 he collected tonight took his total earnings to $509,821.
The mile rate of 1:56.8 – which included closing splits of 28.8 and 27.6 after a 59.9-second first half of the last mile – was just 0.6secs outside of Tintin In America’s track record.
Third home was Tanabi Bromac ($7), who hit the line hard after travelling three back the pegs, while $3.10 second elect Maffioso dropped out to finish last after enduring a tough run from his wide barrier.
Tonight’s other two feature support events went the way of Gavin Lang on what was a stellar night for the champion reinsman.
The Melton driver counted wins in The Harness Breeders Vic Tailamade Lombo and MHRC Cup among four wins for the evening.
The Jayne Davies-trained Moon Spirit ($4.70) was a tenacious winner of the $20,000 Tailamade Lombo for mares, while Tsunami Sloy ($12) upset his three-year-old rivals in the MHRC Cup.
Lang also scored an effortless win aboard Tsunami Sloy’s stablemate Boris Badenov in the second event and the Graeme Lang-trained Jaccka Sandy in race four.
