Sushi rolled by Highview Tommy

Last Saturday nights time honoured Ballarat Cup meeting bought together some of Australasia top horses with two pronounced favourites Sushi Sushi & Smoken Up almost equal in the punters opinions with NZ visitor Highview Tommy ruled the rank outsider in the field at $102 on the tote. The 6YO son of Bettor’s Delight - was himself the result of his Bettor’s first frozen crop, who went onto be voted NZ 2YO of the year back in 2008 along with being = NZ 2600m C&G record holder - had already amassed $749,655 up until Saturday night’s Cup meeting. Purdon knew if the race was run to suit Tommy then he could unleash a withering quarter & that he did, after initially settling 9th in the field 12 he bided his time, but with 300m to run he sprouted wings in the fastest run ¼ (28.3) of the race running down Sushi Sushi to win by a half head margin in 1:57.5 for the 2710m trip with Smoken Up 3rd
 
Not to be outdone earlier in the night 4YO son of Bettor’s Abettorpunt came from outside of the 2nd row to run away a very easy winner by 7.8m in 1:56.5 in a $15k MO. Then in the penultimate race on the card, 4YO Pegasus Spur gelding Brief Glace bounced back to winning form in a T2+ race for driver/trainer Amy Tubbs & owner Ian Arnold.
 
Last Friday Night at Melton – & the first round of Victorian Derby heats were conducted with the NZ star 3YO Ideal Scott proving too good for his opposition with the son of American Ideal leading all the way in Heat 1 winning the 2240m $20k effortlessly sprinting home the final ¼ in 26.5, powering away to score by 6.3m on the line in a slick 1:57.2.
 
Other winners in Australia last week include; 3YO American Ideal filly Obahma Joy won at Penrith, Bettor’s 3YO’s Fantastic Arden won at Kilmore, Bettor Believe It won at the Maryborough @ Melton meeting & Bettor’s 4YO’s Our Blackbird won very easily at Bendigo in 1:56.7, Bettagetawaymore won at Victor Harbour, Shakchloe won at Echuca, Tara Top Lady won at the Maryborough @ Melton meeting, Snap To It won at Penrith,
 
In New Zealand, Forbury Park last Tues proved a big day for Woodlands sires also when 4YO son of Pegasus Spur, Cup Day Star took out the opener combined with 4YO Bettor’s - Pembrook’s Delight winning the 3rd race by 6.3m, Highland Delighted won the 5th, Princess Delight the 8th & Lulll Midfrew the 11th race. Alexandra Park Fri & 3YO Bettor’s Cheer The Lady won an $11k 2200m pace. Ascot Park Sat – Pegasus Spur 4YO Cool Cobber won a $10k 2700m trot, Bettor’s 3YO Texican won his 4th this season in a 3YO & Older $10k pace & in race 11 Bettor’s 4YO mare Onedin Classic saluted the judge making it 2 from 3 this season . At the Bay Of Plenty HRC meeting Sunday Woodlands Bred Bettor Dream won by 4.3m & with Lislea 8YO Jonny English winning the final event & finally also on Sun at Oamaru HRC Bettor’s pair 3YO Tipsy Gambler won a 3YO & Older & 4YO mare Gumboots won the last on the card.
 
The 2011 O’Brien Awards were announced in Canada on Sunday with American Jewel voted 2YO Pacing Filly of the Year. The daughter of American Ideal who won 8 out of 9 starts amassed over $669,000 in stakes with 3 of her wins in Canada including a season’s best effort at Mohawk winning the Shes A Great Lady Stake in World Record time of 1:50.2