Pulp Fiction became the first horse to win the Sir Lincoln Riverton Cup when he scored by five and a quarter lengths in race record time at Ascot Park yesterday.
The Tony Stratford trained five year old also won the feature in 2014 as a three year old.
He was the lone starter off the 40 metre mark and driver Dexter Dunn caught the tape release perfectly.
With 1600 metres to run the five year old entire was still second last with Bettor Enforce making the play up front. With 750 metres to run Dunn set Pulp Fiction forward at great speed and he'd reached the lead within 300 metres.
He strolled down to the finish line to win by five and a half lengths from a game Bettor Enforce with Devil May Care running home late for third.
"He was pretty much spot on today. His work during the week was as good as he's ever worked so we were pretty confident. Dexter was full of admiration for him. He said he just jogged it," said Stratford.
His time of 3-22.3 was a new race record bettering 2008 Riverton Cup winner Presidential Reign's time of 3-26.5. The track record for the distance of 3-20.1 is held by Isaiah.
Victory salute by Dexter Dunn Photo Bruce Stewart.
The plan now for Pulp Fiction, who has won twelve races and is assessed as a C8 pacer, is to start in the junior Free For All at Addington on Cup Day.
"We're under no illusions that he possibly will be outclassed but if he pust a performance together like he did today he won't disgrace himself. If Dexter can't drive him Matt Anderson will."
Despite regular interest from buyers in purchasing the Art Major entire the connections are holding firm.
Winning connections and club officials Photo Bruce Stewart.
"There'll come a time when he's sold but I still reckon he's got unfinished business here. I think he can win an Invercargill or a Northern Southland Cup. I believe he wasn't even fifty per-cent right last year and he still only got beat by three and a half lengths (Invercargill Cup). I'm hoping he'll hang around for that."
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing