Im Themightyquinn blitzed his rivals with a brilliant display in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup
Champion pacer Im Themightyquinn is widening the gap.
His brilliant victory in the Gr.1 $NZ250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup at Alexandra Park over Terror To Love and Bettor Cover Lover highlighted a number of things.
Firstly, he is clearly the best pacer racing in the southern hemisphere right now after backing-up from his Inter Dominion Grand Final triumph five days earlier in Sydney.
And secondly, the Auckland Cup success further propels him in front on the Grand Circuit leader board with only one leg remaining this season.
Im Themightyquinn was again eased at the start of the 2700m mobile feature allowing Terror To Love and Easy On The Eye to battle for early supremacy with the latter winning out.
The early pace was very steady with Easy On The Eye setting a leisurely tempo in front while Terror To Love sat in the trail with race favourite Im Themightyquinn settling close enough to last.
Gold Ace injected speed into the race and when he dashed around the entire field to take up the lead momentarily before stablemate Easy On The Eye popped out of the pocket to re-take the lead role again.
The first half of the final mile was covered in splits of 32.4 and 30.7 seconds.
Hall Jnr. elected to make his move with 1400m remaining and worked around three-wide after briefly gaining cover on the back of Fly Like An Eagle.
Im Themightyquinn relaxed perfectly on the outside of Easy On The Eye with a lap remaining.
Heading down the back straight, Im Themightyquinn quickly put the issue beyond doubt as he roared past Easy On The Eye while Fly Like An Eagle and Bettor Cover Lover chased in vain.
The third quarter was covered in 27.4 seconds.
With Terror To Love caught up behind tiring runners, Im Themightyquinn raced well clear of his rivals.
In the straight, Im Themightyquinn clearly held off the fast finishing Terror To Love by 2 ¾ lengths while Bettor Cover Lover was a further 2 ½ lengths back in third place.
The final quarter was posted in the 27.1 seconds.
The mile rate was 1;59.6, well outside his own race record of 1;57.2 he set two years ago.
“This horse is just a freak. Backing up from an Inter Final five days ago and to win as easy as this is just a remarkable effort.” Winning driver Gary Hall Jnr. said.
“He got a bit keen early because he’s feeling so well but he settled perfectly after that and really controlled the race once outside the leader. I’ve got to say a big thanks to Peter Blanchard and Kendall Laidlaw for him helping me out this week, they’ve been wonderful hosts.” Hall Jnr. added.
The Auckland Cup victory is the second for Im Themightyquinn after winning two years ago.
Im Themightyquinn is now the winner of 13 Group One races and four of those have come outside of his home state of Western Australia.
The Gary Hall trained son of Washington VC is also rapidly closing in on the world record of richest standardbred gelding which is currently held by four time Inter Dominion champion Blacks A Fake.
