Western Australian-owned Bettor Party was back to his brilliant best with a sensational win in the 2017 DF & E Kemp & Son Gawler Harness Racing Club Gold Cup (2645m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
A $4 chance, Bettor Party sat parked for the last half of the race and dashed away in the home straight to win easily from Majestic Lustre (43.70) with Murranji Track ($3.90 favourite) close up in third spot.
A week earlier Bettor Party finished last in a field of six behind Mark Dennis beaten 47 metres – a run which had trainer Les Harding mystified.
“His form since coming from Perth had been fantastic and that run was totally out of character and I have no idea why,” Harding said.
“He did lock wheels early but really just didn’t produce anything like what we expected. Maybe he had a stomach ache – they just can’t tell you if they are not right.
“Tonight, he was really back on his game and it was a brilliant win.”
It was Harding’s second Gawler Cup win having scored with Zanardi in 2013 while for driver Danielle Hill it was her second consecutive win after landing Mark Dennis in 2016.
The Lance Holberton-trained Keayang Storm ($9.20) kicked up from gate one to lead early and had some early pressure but maintained the front.
When the tempo eased, Hill was quick to move Bettor Party around to sit outside the lead.
As the pressure went on down the back, Bettor Party dashed clear and quickly established a winning lead and never looked like being caught in a comfortable win.
Harding said it was unlikely Bettor Party would contest the Port Pirie Cup later this month as it was a standing start race and he felt the gelding might receive too much of a handicap.
“It can break their heart if they have to give too much of a start and the owners have told me he hadn’t like giving away starts when racing in Western Australia.”
The $60,000 Park Douglas Printing Mildura Pacing Cup (2600m) at Mildura on Saturday, April 8 was a possible target.
