Darren Hancock wins the Seelite Windows & Doors Australian Trotting Grand Prix.
On Thunder Road got back on track with an impressive win in the Group 1 $100,000 feature race on Australian trotting's showcase night.
Trained and driven by Darren Hancock, the six-year-old Bettors Delight pacer-cum-trotter restored supporters' faith with a 2.5m win in the Seelite Windows & Doors Australian Trotting Grand Prix.
“He’s a lovely horse,” Hancock said. “He went off the rails a little bit in big races, he looked like being good, but he just had a few littles issues. Overall he’s done a great job.”
After a win in Ballarat’s E. B. Cochran Trotters Cup the summer looked to be at On Thunder Road’s feet before 10th placings in the V. L. Dullard Trotters Cup and Great Southern Star saw the brakes put on his campaign.
A short freshen up was in order and On Thunder Road returned with a vengeance at Tabcorp Park Melton tonight.
“I’d like to thank (trainer) Wayne Potter, he’s done a lot with him,” Hancock said. “He helped me with him the last couple of weeks. (On Thunder Road) has just got better and better. He’s just so tough.”
Sluggish away from gate three, On Thunder Road was led up three-wide, eventually sweeping straight past the breeze position to claim the lead from Clover Mac.
Favourite Sunny Ruby settled one-out one-back behind Prince Fearless, who sat outside On Thunder Road as 59.3 seconds lapsed in the first two quarters.
On Thunder Road maintained a strong pace through the third quarter (29.0) to spread the field and make it tough for the swoopers. Only Clover Mac, who Kate Gath dove down the sprint lane, threatened down the straight, with Sunny Ruby unable to make ground.
On Thunder Road held all the cards and saluted by 2.5m to Clover Mac, with Daryl Boko running into third.
Media enquiries:
Michael Howard (HRV Media/Communications Co-Ordinator)
t: 03 8378 0286 | e: mhoward@hrv.org.au | tw: @MichaelRHoward
