Former Tasmanian Derby winner Mister Lennox returned to his brilliant best to win the Triple M Hobart Pacing Cup at the Elwick harness racing centre in Hobart last night.
Mister Lennox ($7) came from well back with a lap remaining to score comfortably from outsider Call her Julie ($61) with Dapper Dana ($5.50) a close-up third and just ahead of Bayridge Bill ($31).
The win gave Hall of Fame driver Ricky Duggan his first Hobart Cup and he heaped praise on the gelding that had been struggling to find the winner's circle in recent times.
"This horse was a good run in the Tasmania Cup behind Master Secret two weeks ago and I thought all he would need to win tonight was a bit of luck to go his way," Duggan said.
"He stepped away safely and we just took our time to find a spot and then I was able to latch onto the back of Remember Joe when that horse made his move a lap from home.
"I just needed Remember Joe to take us far enough into the race and thankfully he did and when I pulled my horse out four-wide at the top of the straight he ran on strongly and won well."
It was a fiercely contested race with The Majority stepping straight to the front while the favourite Taurisi ($2.50) galloped away and settled last of the field of 14.
Mister Lennox, prepared by Juanita McKenzie, has notched 15 wins and nine minor placings from 49 starts for $126,461 in stakes.
Peter Staples