Freakishly talented pacer Im Themightyquinn defied even his most stringent critics to claim the Gr.1 $400,000 SEW Eurodrive WA Pacing Cup at Gloucester Park tonight.
Starting from the extreme outside draw, Im Themightyquinn was eased by his stand-in driver Kim Prentice at the start before sitting three-wide solo for the final 1100m and defeating pacemaker Mysta Magical Mach and Ima Spicey Lombo.
The Gary Hall trained star has now won back to back Group One events after scoring the previous week in the Fremantle Cup.
“That was just unreal, the odds were clearly stacked against him in the early stages and he wasn't entitled to win but like great horses do, they find another way to win,” Regular driver Gary Hall Jnr. declared.
“I'm gobsmacked, his own last half will be absolutely brilliant.”
The early fireworks didn't eventuate with Mysta Magical Mach leading comfortably whilst Ima Spicey Lombo looked for cover as Washakie pushed forward after being trapped wide in the first lap.
The lead time for the 2506m event was posted in 69.1 seconds.
The field remained in order after they settled whilst the pace was non-existent, Mysta Magical Mach was allowed to dictate terms to a nicety carving out the quarters in 32.7 and 31.1 seconds.
With such a moderate tempo being set, Prentice was forced to make his move as he eased three-wide with race favourite Im Themightyquinn with 1100m remaining.
As the field entered the back straight for the final time, Mysta Magical Mach led narrowly from Washakie whilst Im Themightyquinn was breathing down their necks wider on the track.
The third quarter was covered in 27.6 seconds.
Approaching the home turn, the huge crowd roared as Im Themightyquinn raced to the lead whilst Mysta Magical Mach, Washakie and Ima Spicey Lombo battled for the minor placings.
Im Themightyquinn prevailed by 1.7m defeating Mysta Magical Mach with a long neck further away to Ima Spicey Lombo in a mile rate of 2.01.0.
The mile rate is one of the slowest in the history of the WA Cup.
The final quarter was registered in 27.9 seconds.
Trainer Gary Hall has now claimed five of the last nine WA Pacing Cups whilst Kim Prentice now has two Cup titles after scoring with Baltic Eagle back in 2003.
The victory of Im Themightyquinn now propels him to outright second on the Barastoc Grand Circuit leaderboard with eleven points, only two points behind current leader Smoken Up.
Connections will now head back to Melbourne with their champion pacer and tackle the Gr.1 $425,000 BIG6 Hunter Cup at TABCORP Park, Melton on February 5.
