Exciting deadheat at Kapunda on Sunday
A deadheat was the exciting result of the feature race at Sunday’s Kapunda harness meeting conducted before an outstanding crowd.
The judge could not separate Vatican Green, trained and driven by Anthony Robinson, and Dreamalittledream, driven by Wayne Hill for trainer Peter Bain, in the $9999 Barossa Ford & Volkswagen Kapunda Spring Cup final (1800m).
The action was on in the final from the time the mobile drew away to start the race.
Tonkawaikon, trained by Ingrid Smith and driven by her husband David, made effective use of gate one and hold the front from Dreamalittledream which exploded from barrier five.
Behind the front pair, Anthony Robinson on Vatican Green which had gate three tried to angle in behind Dreamalittledream with Michael Smith, driving Laylas Princess from barrier eight, tried to find the same spot.
Robinson won the contest and settled one-out, one-back with Laylas Princess on his back.
After a 61.2 second first half of the last 1600 metres, the tempo lifted with a 56.5 second half.
Dreamalittledream ($3.30) shaded Tonkawaikon ($5.50) turning for home and looked the likely winner, but Robinson then asked Vatican Green to sprint and the five-year-old finished powerfully with the pair crossing the line together.
Tonkawaikon was 1-1/2 metres away third.
“I thought I had got there,” Robinson said.
“My horse sprinted strongly and had the momentum up.
“Half a win is better than a second.”
Robinson said Vatican Green would now head to the paddock for a 10-week spell.
“He has raced every month since October last year so is entitled to a break, and I will take a break as well.”
Trainer Peter Bain was very proud of Dreamalittledream.
“To sit parked and be able to deadheat around Kapunda in a quick 1:56.9 was outstanding,” Bain said.
“She has been beaten only once in six starts this preparation and loves to race.”
Trainer Lance Holberton is generally succinct about his horses so when he praises one it is wise to take notice.
Holberton believes Resurrects, winner of the Southern Steel Supplies Pace (1800m) can race his way to open company.
Coming from gate three, Resurrects ($3.30) flew out from gate three to find the lead for driver Wayne Hill and dashed away over the final 300 metres to win by 12-1/2 metres from Sea Flyer ($23) with Places You Don’t ($2.80 fav) running on well for third, 1-1/2 metres away.
“He has been hard work, but it is starting to all come together,” Holberton said.
“I have never had a horse pull as hard as him in trackwork and he was bringing himself undone early by wanting to over-race.
“Today we took as bit of a gamble firing him out of the gates because he might have wanted to pull but I was pleased that settled for Wayne and raced truly.
“Hopefully, he is maturing.
“I am pleased for his owners Paul and Judy Nobes who bred him out of their outstanding mare Perfectly Written.”
Hill also drove Skyline Angel to victory in the Grow Financial Solutions Pace (1800m) for trainer Reece Moore.
After leading, Skyline Angel ($3) looked in trouble when Pre Nup ($2 fav) went a metre clear coming off the back straight, but the five-year-old rallied and fought back to win by 1-1/2 metres.
Moore said he wasn’t too concerned when his gelding was headed.
“He has a flat spot, and I knew he would come again,” Moore said.
“He has been racing well since coming into my stable and that was his second win for me.”
Moore won at Globe Derby Park on Saturday with Classic Line and is strongly considering a trip to Melton on Friday night.
“I don’t think he is ready for open company here with the Cup coming up.
“I think he is good enough to tackle MO company in Melbourne, and this might be the perfect time to go to Melton.”
Trainer Toby Ryan had two runners in the opening event, the Nutrien Ag Solutions Gawler & Kapunda Pace (1800m) – Nurunderi, the well backed $2.60 favourite driven by his wife Lisa and Cici Nien, the outsider of the field at $17 with David Smith in the sulky.
Smith settled last on the inside on Cici Nien before bringing the three-year-old filly wide in the home straight and she finished best to win by four metres from Stars Legacy ($2.60 fav) with Fragmenting ($5.50), 1-1/2 metres away third.
Nurunderi faded to finish last.
“I am pleased she was able to win,” Ryan said.
“She is owned by Bill Cormack who has had his health issues but was here today to see the win.
“Today was her 23rd start. She has run 11 placings but was finding it hard to break through.
“She was suited today when the pressure went on with a lap to go and when the leaders got tired she ran them down.”
- Story Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga