Harness Racing Trainer Cran Dalgety has a big chance to pick up another Nelson Pine Industries Nelson Winter Cup with his runner Fifth Edition.
The 6yo Mach Three gelding won the 2014 edition and is having just his 3rd run back from close to 18 months off the race track.
Starting off the back mark of 40m in the prelude on Friday, Fifth Edition made a quick beginning for driver Dexter Dunn and had soon caught up with the pack.
Dunn made a smart move to sneak up the pegs with a lap to run, finding himself four back coming to the 800, he was able to push his way out to a spot 3 wide with cover. angled to the outside of the track at the top of the straight, Fifth Edition only went down by ½ a neck to eventual winner Ideal Arden.
The 3000m trip today wouldn't hold any concerns for the Dalgety trained gelding, and even off his 40m back mark, he looks a massive chance to go one better.
Dalgety rates his runners on this website each week and said the following about Fifth Edition.
“I was rapt with him the first day. It was a big run off 40m behind over 2400m and he's backed up good in the past. He won his race a couple of years ago so we're looking to fulfill again”
First day winner Joey Maguire is a new edition to the cup field and has drawn well in barrier 2 for co owner and driver Ross Houghton.
He was a dominate winner of a C2 event on Friday and also finished 2nd in last year's cup, so the distance won't affect the Robert Dunn trained gelding.
While the Greg & Nina Hope trained Bettor Buy It, who started a short price in the prelude will be better for his first up run.
Andrew Fitzgerald