Iam Erik claims gold cup victory

WHERE TO LOOK FOR THE WINNER: There were plenty of winning chances in the closing stages of Saturday evening’s Mount Gambier gold cup, with victory going to the David Drury trained and driven Iam Erik (far left). Pictures: TREVOR JACKSON

WINNING a Mount Gambier gold cup has never been an easy assignment for local stables.

Before last Saturday night, only four South East based stables had won the feature race this century, the last being the Barry Finnis trained Parwill berlin in 2014.

The Victorians had claimed the trophy for the past four years and the betting on this year’s cup suggested the prizemoney and cup would leave town again.

So it was little wonder there were euphoric scenes after the 2019 gold cup when the David Drury trained and driven Iam Erik swamped his rivals in one of the best finishes seen to our major race for many years.

The Drury stable, based opposite the airport at Mingbool, have long been a major player in local harness racing, but the coveted cup had always eluded the family.

Iam Erik ($18-$14) was second last on the pegs with a lap to run before Drury eased the four year old to the outside and made his run almost up against the outside fence.

Nearly half a dozen pacers had the cup in their sights with 100 metres to go and it was the strength and staying power of Iam Erik that put his owners and supporters into a frenzy.

It was a local quinella, with the much-improved Captian Snoozzze a gallant second, beaten just over a metre, with the leader – and favourite – Ideal World ($1.85-$2.10) a head further back.

“David has been unlucky in this race before and he thought he had no chance with Iam Erik before the race,” delighted part owner Chris Drury told the crowd at the presentation ceremony.

“I did think he had some hope after his good fourth at Melton last week.”

For David Drury, who gave Iam Erik a congratulatory kiss as soon as all clear was announced, the win obviously meant the world to him and his support staff.

“To all my terrific owners, they have stuck by me, especially Richard Healey and I thank the crowd and my fans for their terrific support,” he said.

The cup was, as always, a pressure cooker event, unlike the heats a fortnight earlier and that told on the favoured pair of Ideal World and My Harmony Blue which shared the lead until the raiders arrived over the final 150 metres.

With a good pace up front, the mile rate (2.01.9) was only a fraction outside the track record set 10 years ago by Lightning McCool.

It was a cup night to remember for Drury as he ended with a training and driving double, equalled by Victorian driver Michael Bellman.

CONTROLLED THE RACE

YOUNG Hamilton driver Jackie Barker registered one of her biggest wins in easy style when the hot favourite Miss What Usain won the 2019 Mount Gambier derby.

The Matthew Craven trained three-year-old filly had scored easily at the previous Mount Gambier meeting and gave a repeat performance to lead all the way.

Another filly, Be The One made her racing debut and put up a mighty effort to run the quinella and, for a fleeting second, looked likely to make a real contest of it on the home turn.

There was no money for Labella Rock ($2.80-$4.80), seeking four consecutive wins and she struggled into third placing.

Drury found himself in the winner’s stall after the opening event when So Bobs Your Uncle ($2.10-$2.70) upset the leader and favourite Lifeasweknowit with a last stride win.

The pair were the only two under double figure odds and had the race to themselves a long way from home.

Grey Cadillac ($18-$10) and Luv Me Or Hate Me ($34-$19) met with support at big odds before finishing fifth and eighth respectively.

100/1 WINNER

IT proved to be a big night in more ways than one for racing club vice president Neil Shepherd.

Kongorong based Shepherd is only in his second year as a trainer and a newcomer to his stable – Leica Patrick – caused a major boilover in the C1 pace.

At his first run for Shepherd a fortnight ago since transferring from the Steve Lambert (Terang) stable, Leica Patrick failed to beat a runner home and went to the start as a 100/1 chance on Saturday night.

The leader Gnotuk, also a former Victorian, appeared to have the race won went he scooted clear on the final bend but tired visibly and was pipped by half a head.

“It is terrific to have a win, especially as it is the 70th celebration of the club and my grandfather was one of the founders of the club and had a winner at the first meeting,” a smiling Shepherd stated.

“I only got the horse from Steve on Christmas Eve and stewards were keen tonight for an explanation as to his improvement.”

Punters were on the ball in the kindergarten stakes for two year olds, when the favourite Wolf Of West Bay led all the way.

Winner of a recent trial here, Wolf Of West Bay recorded slow time in what was a prelude race for the $15,000 Kindergarten Stakes at Globe Derby on February 9.

Those who took the short odds about Eastbro Katie winning the R0 pace were always confident of collecting in the last half lap.

Bellman had Eastbro Katie travelling well behind the leader Pats Legacy and just needed a clear passage in the final circuit.

The outsider Wroy seemed well and truly beaten at the 400 metres before rallying strongly and was only beaten two metres.

NEVER IN DOUBT

GAWLER trainer Aaron Bain might have missed out on winning the cup with Ideal World but had some consolation when Three Cases was untroubled to maintain her unbeaten status here in the C0 final.

Three Cases won first up for Bain here a fortnight ago by leading all the way and the $1.33 chance again showed good gate speed to repeat the dose.

The long trip from Colac was not wasted on trainer Daniel Laird when Eoghan Omaille took out the 2019 Mount Gambier trotters cup.

A winner at 40/1 at Terang two starts previous, Eoghan Omaille was again at double figure odds and led all the way for driver Xavier O’Connor.

The other trotters race was virtually presented to Icicle shortly after the start when most of the field were involved in a scrimmage.

That left Icicle ($2.60-$3) some 50 metres in front and Bellman completed his driving double in the easiest of fashion.

Harness racing continues at the Greenwald Paceway on Friday week, February 8 when it will be Glencoe cup night.

Drive of the night: David Drury (Iam Erik)