Barastoc Grand Circuit Series
Stories:   Pacers 2009/2010 Season
Leg 12:  $125,000 PETstock Ballarat Pacing Cup
30 January 2010:  2710 Metres, Mobile  Start
Ballarat, Victoria		  

Results

Points
Kid Finally A Giant Killer

by Chris Barsby

Cincinnati Kid NZ conquers Ballarat Cup

Perennial big race player Cincinnati Kid NZ finally got his moment. 

Over the past three seasons, Cincinnati Kid NZ has been so close yet so far away in many features but tonight was his time to shine after capitalising on a lovely trail behind the leader and outgunned his more fancied rivals to claim the Gr.1 $125,000 Petstock Ballarat Cup at Bray Raceway.

Reigning Inter Dominion champion Mr Feelgood USA hogged the pre-race limelight after some slashing performances recently after returning from an unsuccessful New Zealand campaign but needed to overcome a tough second row draw.

Cincinnati Kid NZ was hustled hard in the early stages to maintain the position on the back of Mister Zion NZ who easily held the lead from his ace draw for stand in driver Luke McCarthy.

  





Cincinatti Kid NZ and Mark Peace head to the
finish line of the 2010 Ballarat Cup
photograph  copyright Stuart McCormick

With Mister Zion NZ comfortably holding the lead and dictating terms in front, many of the favoured runners made early three wide moves whilst Cincinnati Kid NZ sat tucked away behind the leader in a slow early tempo for the 2700m event.

The lead time was posted in 83.8 seconds.

The race clearly developed into a sprint home after Mister Zion NZ strolled through the first half in sections of 32 and 30.5 seconds with star New South Wales stayer Karloo Mick occupying the position on the outside of the leader whilst both Mr Feelgood USA and Cincinnati Kid NZ travelled strongly directly behind the leading pair.

Entering the back straight on the final occasion, the speed sharpened considerably with Kiwi visitor Our Awesome Armbro NZ applying strong pressure three wide.

The third quarter was posted in a brilliant 27.7 seconds and Mister Zion NZ still travelled well with Karloo Mick being worked on by driver Greg Bennett whilst Mr Feelgood USA commenced his run deep off the track and Cincinnati Kid NZ persisted for an inside run as the pressure reached fever pitch.

With Mister Zion NZ running up the track, Mark Peace urged Cincinnati Kid NZ through along the inside and snatched his maiden Group One victory from Karloo Mick who fought tenaciously with Mr Feelgood USA running a close-up third.

The last quarter was timed in 27.8 seconds.

The overall time was 3.21.8 with the mile rate calculated to 1.59.8.

A minor protest was lodged on behalf of driver Anthony Butt (Mr Feelgood USA) against Greg Bennet (Karloo Mick) for alleged interference over the concluding stages.

The protest was upheld.

The victory of Cincinnati Kid NZ was his 22nd in his 98 start career whilst his earnings have soared to $406,000.

Cincinnati Kid NZ is raced by Jade Valley Racing Stables for trainer/driver Mark Peace.

 
All Time Pacing and Trotting Records pre-2001 please refer to the Australian Harness Racing Annual.

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