Savesomtimetodream was too good in the Yarra Valley Cup.
Ballarat Trotting Club CEO Paul Rowse and partners would have been elated when six year old Village Jasper/Cultured Lombo gelding Savesomtimetodream brought up two cup victories in succession after winning the $25,000 United Petroleum Yarra Valley Pacing Cup for M0 or better class (Discretionary Handicapped) over 2650 metres at picturesque Yarra Glen on Friday December 13.
Bred and raced by Paul, father Ken and brother Peter along with associates Gary Mannington and Leigh Stollery, Savesomtimetodream trained by Paul at Ross Creek with Jodi Quinlan again taking the reins, began swiftly from barrier three in the semi walk-up start to lead, whereas the hot favourite and Cranbourne Cup placegetter Im Corzin Terror starting from inside the 10-metre mark, was severely checked losing 30 metres when La Machane ahead of him galloped away badly.
On settling it was Savesomtimetodream leading from Jukebox Music which trailed, Real Magic three back the markers and Washmepockets in the open being followed by his stablemate Rakarebel, Arber, Mustang Mach, Smudge Bromac and Im Corzin Terror at the tail of the field. Machin Out missed the start hopelessly from outside the front row.
Plenty of moves were made within a lap, when Rakarebel vacated the prime spot to momentarily shadow the leader, with both Smudge Bromac and Im Corzin Terror making forward moves.
Occupying the “death-seat” mid-race giving Smudge Bromac the one/one, with Rakarebel now three back, Chris Alford was content to allow Im Corzin Terror to park in the open for the remainder of the journey.
Rakarebel was again sent forward three wide racing for the bell, being followed up by Arber and Mustang Mach, with the race right on approaching the home turn.
Joining the pacemaker on the final bend, Im Corzin Terror and Savesomtimetodream drew away to fight out the finish, with Savesomtimetodream prevailing by a head in a mile rate of 2-01.6 (last half 54.7 – quarter 27.6). Rakarebel was game in finishing 3.1 metres away in third place after racing three wide for the final lap.
Without detracting from the winner, Im Corzin Terror was gigantic in defeat, while nothing could be taken away from the third placegetter.
Savesomtimetodream was making his first appearance at the races since winning the Gunbower Cup on November 24.
The $15,000 Blackburn Bowls Club Yarra Valley Trotters Cup for TMO or better class (D-H) over 2650 metres supplemented the program, with Melton trainer Susan Hunter’s very honest pacing bred Western Terror/Lady Joy six year old gelding Lightning Joy taking the major prize.
Jumping straight to the front from barrier three as the strands released, Lightning Joy had to fight hard to hold out the Gunbower Trotters Cup winner Si Capisco which began equally as well outside him.
Pressured in the final circuit by Herecomes The Cat three wide from one/one with Waikare Aristocrat, Thanesan and Cold Sister trailing in the three wide lane all following him, Lightning Joy kicked away on the final bend to record an easy 5.4 metre victory in advance of Zedalite along the sprint lane from three back the markers, with Cold Sister running on late to finish third.
With splits of 31, 30.7, 28.4 and 30.4 for the final mile, Lightning Joy bred and raced by Marie Ross returned a mile rate of 2-02.2.
