Evergreen harness racing pacer Motu Crusader continued his winning streak by capturing his third win in succession in the $10,000 Plunkett Family Ascot Gold Cup over 2579 metres at UBET Park Hobart on Sunday night.
Motu Crusader was the sole handicapper off 30 metres but the gallant eight-year-old made light of the task.
With Gareth Rattray aboard he stepped brilliantly from the standing start and quickly made up ground to tack onto the main body of the field.
When Rattray made his move down the back straight the last time he had the leaders in his sights turning for home and then powered up the home straight to score comfortably from Ardlussa Express and Outback Mach.
The Zeke Slater-trained Courage Under Fire gelding won the $10,000 Elite in Hobart three starts back and followed up with an impressive win in the $10,000 Golden Mile in Launceston.
"That's three feature race wins in a row for this horse so it proves he is definitely back to his best," Slater said.
Motu Crusader will attempt to extend his winning sequence in the Brighton Cup in Hobart next Sunday night.
Peter Staples