Harness racing warrior Speeding Spur has won the 2018 (Gr1) $156,000 Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park this evening, beating a large field of quality trotters in the process.
The John and Josh Dickie trained 6yo began well for driver Josh Dickie and found himself in the lead before trailing behind the favourite Enghien with one lap remaining.
He then used the passing lane to his advantage in the straight and found the line strongly, finally winning by three quarters of a length.
An emotional Josh Dickie paid tribute to the horse after his comfortable win in the gruelling 3200m race.
"He's an amazing horse this bloke," he said after driving the horse to victory.
"There were times we did'nt think we would get him back to this stage, and here he is winning group one races.
"I take my hat off to the horse, he has got an incredible amount of guts and determination and he just does'nt know when to give up.
"He felt terrific at the quarter and the gap sort of opened up at the top of the lane and he just did it so easy at the end," he said.
The time for the 3200m Stand was 4-08.2 with a closing 800m run in 58.9 and the 400m in 29.8 seconds. Monty Python tracked the winner all the way and closed strongly at the finish for second, with last years Rowe Cup winner Temporale battling into third.
Speeding Spur (Pegasus Spur – Della's Speed) has now won 20 races from 40 lifetime starts and taken his stake earnings to $799,000 dollars.
Speeding Spur winning the Rowe Cup tonight.
Harnesslink Media