During the week well known owner Mark Congerton (who won this race two years before with Baltic Eagle NZ) had sent an SOS to Victorian horseman John Caldow for him to fly to Perth and drive Adams Mate in the race. 

This unreliable horse from a standing start had been stabled with John and Maree Caldow during a winter campaign in the east. “Caldow knows how to get him away from the stand, like when he won the Shepparton Gold Cup and ran well in the Kilmore Cup, both standing start races.” 

Adams Mate had been driven in the Australian Pacing Championship by veteran horseman Fred Kersley when blocked for a run in the closing stages before an unlucky fourth to Lookslikelightning. Kersley would take the drive behind Global Force in the Fremantle Cup, another horse to secure a start in the race following a nice fourth in the Consolation. 

Despite the step-up in distance, Lookslikelightning had many supporters as its form over shorter distances this summer has been outstanding. However, there are many who believed this pacer to be at its best over sprint racing. 

Trained earlier by Justin and Carol Warwick, Lookslikelightning’s career this season has been resurrected by rookie trainer Pat Keating. “Most people seem to think he has to lead to win,” said the trainer. “But he can come from behind too,”added Keating. “He pulled up well from his win in the Australian Pacing Championship.” 

Noted stayer Ohoka Ace NZ was the one expected to be well tried in the Cup, as the horse does do well over the longer distances. It had no luck in the closing stages in the Australian Pacing Championship, and a handicap of 10m would not worry it unduly. The large field might be another matter for the five pacers drawn off 10m. 

Handicapper Warren Wishart did receive some criticism for not having made Lookslikelightning the sole backmarker off 20m. It was off 10m, along with Ohoka Ace NZ, Flashing Red, Tricky Vic NZ and No Blue Manna. 

On the betting at the time of the start of the Fremantle Cup, Lookslikelightning and Ohoka Ace NZ were virtually equal favourites, with No Blue Manna the only other runner inside $7 on the tote. 

While Colin Brown dashed Money Magnet NZ straight to the front to lead clearly at barrier-rise, both Maheer Lord NZ and Global Force galloped out, all but dashing their hopes of being in the finish. 

Money Magnet NZ was untroubled to maintain a clear lead over De Galdearno, Dufflecoat Flyer and Buck The Odds. Mid-race Lookslikelightning had only three behind it, with Flashing Red making its usual move three wide to get into the race early. No Blue Manna had also gone forward and was fortunate to have found the one-out one-back position. 

At the bell Adams Mate also went three wide. With Money Magnet NZ going along nicely well clear of its rivals, the remainder of the field started to pack-up racing for the home-turn the final time. Having ensured the leader had plenty in the tank, Brown then moved Money Magnet NZ away to establish a winning break, beating a group to the post that was headed by De Galdearno and Flashing Red. 

A good front drive by Brown, or a lack of aggression by rival reinsmen?  A bit of both was the general consensus after the race, as the well-dressed Greg Bond was being presented with the trophy. 

It was a good night for Bond, who earlier had won the Busselton Stakes with Brooklyn Road. Another winner at the meeting was the former NSW pacer Patches NZ. It looked so good in taking out race five that it might have been enough for the handicapper to include in the field for this week’s $250,000 Western Australian Pacing Cup.