The two heats of the SA BOTRA Two-year-old Golden Nursery for colts and geldings may have lacked numbers but set the stage for an exciting final.
Alto Cumulus, trained by Robin Maguire, was a most impressive all the way winner of the Combined Transport heat one.
Backed from $1.90 into $1.60, Alto Cumulus was taken straight to the front by David Harding from gate four and the colt had no trouble in scoring a three-and-a-half metre win from Fragility ($5.60) with Presidentmach ($3.20) four and a half metres away third.
Harding has been impressed by the winner.
“This was my third drive on him and he keeps improving,” Harding said. “He was always in control tonight and won well.”
But it would surprise if Regal Major, winner of the Mike and Nathan Woods heat two, does not start favourite in the final.
Alto Cumulus rated 2:01:5 in his win and was unextended while Regal Major recorded 2:02:1 in doing a bit of work but still winning comfortably.
A well backed $1.70 favourite, Regal Major, owned by the Cormack family and trained by Peter Manning, showed no gate speed from four but after the first 200 metres Jock Dunlop had no hesitation sending him to the front.
Time To Dash moved alongside to test for the lead but Dunlop had no intent of handing up and instead allowed the gelding to keep in a rhythm.
The early leader Tyrion($4.50) trailed the winner and tried to come through on the inside up the home straight but Regal Major held on to win by two-and-a-half metres. Reva ($20.20) was 10 metres away third.
Part-owner Ben Cormack was impressed by Regal Major’s win.
“He is a tough horse who keeps on giving and I’m sure we will be positive early in the final.”
