Page 24 The Moorabool News – 21 December, 2021
Sport
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Supreme cup win By Michael Howard (HRV) Supreme Dominator announced himself among the trots’ elite with a bold late strike to capture the Cranbourne Pacing Cup and gift his trainer and driver their richest wins. Reinsman James Herbertson tagged on to Grand Circuit winning mare Amazing Dream’s back and then let down in the sprint to the line to capture the $75,000 Group 2 for trainer Joe Pace, celebrating with a hearty salute. “He’s a lovely horse, he’s done a super job,” Herbertson told TrotsVision. “I think it was only six or seven starts back here he broke the track record in a country class race. To go as far as he has in such a short amount of time is a credit to the horse and a credit to Joe as well.” For Pace, the victory far outshadows his previous high watermark – the $30,000 race wins by Rock N Roll Chapel and Diamond Party – while for 21-year-old Herbertson it also goes to the top of the pile, eclipsing his $50,000 Australasian Trotting Championship win with Savannah Jay Jay. “Watching Gav (Lang) and Chris (Alford) battle it out every year in these sort of races, I always wanted to win country cups more than probably the main races really,” Herbertson said. “I’m living the dream at the moment, to be 21 and doing it – I never thought it would be happening this early if ever.” Herbertson and Supreme Dominator had to show pace, then patience and then pace again to claim the coveted Group 2, being quick out from gate one to hold out Bettor Be The Bomb and then handing up when Amazing Dream came knocking. It was then a matter of letting the 2555-metre classic play out, and opportunity knocked with Amazing Dream doing work to get to the front and key rivals Copy That and General Dodge three-wide for a significant stint. “The speed early was nice,” Herbertson said. “(Anthony Butt on Amazing Dream) did a bit of work early and then (Chris Svanosio on Copy That) was doing enough as well, so we were just getting a lovely, cosy trip in there. “The first half of the last mile wasn’t overly strong which did worry me a little bit, we weren’t bowling along that much, but at the end of the day the horse’s sprint, the way he just goes through his gears – it’s won him the race.” New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Copy That, who had sat in the breeze for much of the journey, had run his race by the final turn, enabling Herbertson to peel off Amazing Dream’s back ahead of the sprint lane and make his victory play. Off a 28.4-second third quarter they crashed the line in 27.7, with Supreme Dominator pipping a brave Amazing Dream by a head to claim the cup for owners Sam Castro and Charlie Sant. “He was up in class massively, he’s gone to the absolute top echelon now,” Herbertson said. “We were just happy to be here and it was going to be a good test for him. To be able to come out on top – it’s very good. “Going forward I’m sure he’ll contest a few more country cups, but he probably doesn’t need to overrace him – he’s a lovely horse who’s going to have a long career. He’s found a nice one.”
Cranbourne Pacing Cup winner: Supreme Dominator (1), Trainer: Joe Pace, Driver: James Herbertson. Photo: Stuart McCormick.
Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics Ballan Golf Club Results – Week ending Saturday 18 December Wednesday – Stableford Winner - John McLeod (2) 34 points. R/up - Les Martin (16) 33 points. Magpie - 14th Chris Tudor. NTPs - 12th Barry Sims, 15th Jimmy Walsh. Saturday – Stableford A GRADE Winner - Rick Roden (12) 34 points. R/up - Frank Raffaele (10) 32 points on c/b from Shane Newton (6) & Chris Tudor (12). B GRADE Winner - Ian Godkin (18) 33 points. R/up - John Ryan (35) 32 points. NTPs - 12th Ian Bragge, 15th Chris Tudor. Magpies - 14th Don Wickson (Birdie). Balls 6 Cut-off 32 points Rick Roden, Ian Godkin, Frank Raffaele, John Ryan, Shane Newton, Chris Tudor.
The Centre celebrated their final meet prior to the Christmas break, conducting a modified program at their Twilight meet last Friday evening. All athletes participated in 4 events with a remarkable 236 Personal Best results recorded. Ten athletes recorded four out of four event PBs to be awarded PB Stars of the Week – Skyla Berryman, Mya Berryman, Lexi Stapleton, Ava Radolovic, Jeremiah Pio, Braydn Rich, Ethan Sayers, Auden Sundqvist, Elouise Evans and Scarlett Wake. Bridie Shanahan (Dolphins) continues to add to her record count, bettering her Under 16 Shot Put record with a new distance of 10.16 metres. Under 9-16 athletes are reminded that entries to the State Combined Event, to be held at Lakeside Stadium, close on January 12. Entries are also now open for the Region Track & Field Championships to be held at John Landy Field, Geelong on February 12-13. The Centre will now take a break over the festive season and will return to competition in the New Year on Saturday 22nd January.
Bridie Shanahan (U16) breaking the Shot Put record last week. Photo - submitted