Abettorpunt should start a short priced favourite in his Vicbred Super Series semi-final for 4YO boys at Melton Friday night
Abettorpunt will soon surpass Master Of Disguise as David Lewis’s most successful pacer, the Hamilton trainer believes.
Master Of Disguise was a great horse for the south-west horseman, the son of Sokys Atom winning 27 races from 76 starts for lifetime prizemoney of $212,825.
Abettorpunt, who will contest Friday night’s Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series 4YO Entires and Geldings Semi-Final at Melton’s Tabcorp Park, has won 16 races from 31 starts for $178,282.
Lewis recalls fondly his best days with Master Of Disguise, who won a Canberra Cup and competed in an Inter Dominion series.
He also had Frosty Bulldog, who he said "was a great horse". "Injuries held him back, though," Lewis added.
Frosty Bulldog won 12 races from 50 starts, with a St Arnaud Cup win one of his best. But Abettorpunt is his No.1 nowadays.
The flying son of Bettors Delight takes winning form into Friday night after an all-the-way win at Bendigo when Black Caviar odds of $1.04 last start.
He won that race by 6.7m, defeating Because I Can, who has drawn the pole for the return clash with Lewis’s stable star.
Lewis said Abettorpunt had a tendency to "get a bit lazy" during his races when in front.
"Caleb (Lewis’s nephew, who regularly drives Abettorpunt) said the other day at Bendigo that 50m from the line he was turned off. I really think he’s a better sit-sprinter. He loves chasing them down."
Lewis said Abettorpunt would go forward on Friday, but said he’d be more than happy to see his runner in the breeze.
"He’ll sneak across, and to be honest I’d be happy to sit in the death. I think he goes better from the death. But we’ll see.
"I think David (Miles, who will drive Because I Can) will probably come out to lead, but he’ll probably hand up and take the trail. If he tries to hold us out he’ll probably have to spend a few tickets and that might bring him undone.’’
Lewis said Abettorpunt would be at his best next season.
"I’ve nursed him along a fair bit but he’s getting stronger and better every year. I really think next year will be a breakout year for him.
"He’s such a good horse to be around and I’m really enjoying it."
Lewis nominated Keayang Cullen as Abettorpunt’s big danger on Friday night.
"I really like Keayang," Lewis said.
"If he gets a good run he’ll make a race of it."
Keayang Cullen has drawn the back row for Terang trainer Margaret Lee. A winner of 10 of 14 starts, Glen Craven takes the drive aboard the son of former superstar pacer Christian Cullen.
Emma Stewart-trained Mister Sheedy will also have admirers on Friday night, the son of Presidential Ball having won six of nine career starts. Chris Alford will take the drive.
Prolific South Australian winner Come On Frank has drawn outside the back row, which will make his task difficult. But you cannot ignore his record, which reads 24 wins from 44 starts.
Russell Thomson-trained Pinevale Willpower also has a nice record to date, having won five of his past eight starts.
The second semi-final later in the night will see Suave Stuey Lombo and Jadahson as two of the horses to beat.
