Veteran Ticks Botra Cup Off Bucket List
23 July, 2018
Harness
Tim Walker
Picture: Scott Hamilton Media
The Bucket List has relished a significant class drop to take out the Garrad’s Horse & Hound At Gloucester Park Botra Cup (2503m), the feature event at Headquarters this evening.
After finishing fourth, and being outclassed, by Chicago Bull last week, the eight-year-old had to start off 50m in the Standing Start event, but that couldn’t prevent him adding another feature race win to his outstanding record.
Reinsman Gary Hall Jnr was able to get the gelding to latch on to the back of the field going out of the straight the first time, as Swimbetweentheflags eventually found his way to the front on the back straight.
Hall Jnr moved up to be three-wide coming into the home straight the penultimate time, and then had to do a power of work four and five wide over the last quarter to find the front.
The gelding hit the lead 100m from home, and was never in any danger of being beaten from there, going on to score by 2.4m to Always Arjay and Motu Premier, who finished second and third respectively.
It was The Bucket List’s first win since April 6, where he also won over the 2503m Standing Start off 20m.
Trainer Michael Brennan said he was pleased the gelding was able to score a feature race win this campaign.
“He deserves a feature race win,” he said.
“He’s a marvel, once again he broke the clock and went within 0.1 of a second of his track record.
“He had to chase really hard tonight and dug in really deep.
“I think he’s probably in the top five horses in the state.”
Brennan said he would likely keep The Bucket List in work over the winter months, before taking on feature races over the summer period.
“We’ve always managed him pretty well,” he said.
“He races for a couple of weeks then has a break.
“He’s the type of horse that if you tip him out and bring him back, it will be another five months down the track and suddenly he will be turning 11.”
Meanwhile, Chicago Bull has made it two wins in a row to start his campaign, taking out the Garrards Horse & Hound For All Your Equine Needs Pace (2536m).
In a minor surprise, second favourite Bettors Fire handed up the lead to Chicago Bull, and from there Hall Jnr was able to dictate the race, and comfortably bring up his second win of the night.
Bettors Fire finished second, while Galactic Star finished third after facing the breeze.
Beaudiene Boaz finished at the tail of the field on his return to racing, but wasn’t suited by the slow tempo in front.
Elsewhere, the Greg and Skye Bond stable enjoyed a successful evening, highlighted by a race to race winning double thanks to Mighty Mr Sharkey and El Jacko.
Mighty Mr Sharkey led all the way to take out the third heat of the Chandon Qualifying (2130m), before El Jacko held off a late charge from Handsandwheels in the subsequent race.