Saturday's $30,500 Group 3 Invercargill Cup may have only drawn eight runners but it was possible to make a strong case for at least six of them on paper on exposed harness racing form.
Local hope Costa Del Magnifico from the front line was a lot of the pundits first pick for the race but queries over his racing style over 3200 metres meant some were keen to question his credentials.
As expected Tas Man Bromac made a flier from the 10 metre mark to grab the early lead for trainer driver Nathan Williamson before handing up to the free going Costa Del Magnifico with junior driver Matt Anderson in the bike.
Matt immediately lifted the tempo over the next 1000 metres but coming through the straight with two laps to go, he eased the pace slightly only to see Cullect A Guiness and John Dunn appear on his outside at the same time and with their momentum grab the lead.
John Dunn made sure there was no loitering in front and appeared to have the field in trouble on the corner but once Matt had angled Costa Del Magnifico into the clear, the son of Mach Three flew the last 150 metres to nail a terribly game Cullect a Guinness right on the winning post.
Titan Banner battled into third three lengths away just in front of a slightly disappointing Pulp Fiction who was given every chance by Dexter Dunn.
Costa del Magnifico paced the 3200 metres in a smart 4:01.1, a mile rate of 2:01.2 with closing sectionals of 56.4 and 27.3.
It was Costa Del Magnifico's eight win at just his twenty third start and along with eleven placings it took his earnings over the $71,000 mark.
Matt Anderson was a happy man post race today.
“John caught me out a bit when he made that quick mid race move as I wasn't keen to hand up the front to anyone.”
“However I made a quick decision as it was happening not to kick up and try to keep him out at that point as there was a long way to go and I didn't think John would be handing up to anyone so I would get the run of the race.”
“I know it took him the length of the straight to claim Cullect A Guinness but I was pretty confident once I got out.”
“I just can't thank the connections enough for putting me on in such a big race.”
“The only problem now is to sort out how to keep the drive when Nathan is available again,” Matt said with a big grin.
Trainer Brent Shirley was unsure initially if his charge had got up.
“From where I was I thought we had run second so I was rapt to see we got up.”
“I never gave Matt any instructions before the race.”
“I have a lot of confidence in his judgment and told him to drive his own race,” Brent said.
Shirley said the Addington Super Series is the entire's next aim on the 12th February.
Matt Anderson has continued to impress all season with his displays of mature driving in testing situations and todays calmness under pressure was further evidence of his growing confidence in the bike.
Harnesslink Media