St Marys Cup winner Black Centurian celebrated a long-overdue and richly deserved victory in the $12,000 Bridport Hotel North Eastern Pacing Cup on Friday evening at Scottsdale.
The Steve Davis prepared Jr Mint-Mon Poppy Mary nine-year-old gelding has had a luckless run in the Cup over the years finishing runner-up on three times, beaten by a narrow margin on each occasion.
“Black Centurian (pictured) loves the Scottsdale track and performs well here, he’s just always found one better on the night every year and gone down by a nose or a half-head each time,” said Steve shaking his head.
“He has come to Scottsdale this year in top form coming off victory in the St Marys Cup, it’s great that he has finally cracked the big one here, it was a super run and an outstanding drive by Gareth (Rattray) to come from last at the 400-metre mark and win like he did.”
Racing was tight and compact and certainly no place for the faint of heart as the Cup field of ten thundered into the straight to receive the bell, it appeared likely something had to give and it was last year’s Cup winner Full Speed Ahead that almost sold out, going down on his nose at the tail of the field after clipping a wheel.
The Wayne Campbell prepared race favourite Buster William hit the front at the 250-metre mark but Black Centurian was winding up out four wide on the track.
The pair drew level before the turn and the Cup developed into a battle royal down the home stretch.
“Buster William is a smart horse but I was confident as they turned for home Black Centurian had his measure,” said Steve
“He’s tough, strong and courageous and you always knows he’s going to be giving 100 per cent right down to the wire, we will press on now to Devonport on 27 January in a bid for his third Cup win in a month.
Shane Yates