Harness racing iron horse Titan Banner gained an automatic entry to this years Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup when he won the Allied Security Maurice Holmes Vase last night (Friday) at Addington Raceway.
A condition of the race was the winner was guaranteed a start in this years Cup and Titan Banner proved too good, winning easily for strike rate trainer Graeme Anderson.
The Art Major six year old gelding was the highest rated horse in the race last night and started a hot favourite on the tote.
Driver Dexter Dunn fresh from competing in the World Drivers Championship, had Titan Banner in front early and then trailing another cup aspirant in Art Union. Turning for home Dexter hooked out of the trail and Titan Banner coasted to the line winning with plenty in hand.
The winners time was a sedate 3-21.5 with a closing 800m in 58.1 and 400m in a quicker 27.8.
Titan Banner winning the Maurice Holmes Vase
A race earlier the Phil Williamson trained Alderbeck capped of some good form by beating the Paul Nairn trained and Dominion bound Habibti Ivy by a narrow margin.
Alderbeck (Pegasus Spur – J D Pat) trailed for the last lap and the five year old mare was too good in the straight shooting to the lead and then lasting to beat the favourite Habibti Ivy by a nose.
Alderbeck winning narrowly
Mitchell Kerr continued his remarkable run of form in the last race when he trained his seventh winner for the season from only eleven starters. Alta Shelby (Mach Three – La Joconde) was driven to the lead early for driver Matt Anderson and the speedy three year old utilised the passing lane in the straight to win comfortably from outsider Pat Cambell and Colin DeFilippi.
The win propelled Kerr back to an equal lead in the trainers premiership with Steve Telfer who picked up two wins at Alexandra Park on Thursday night to also get to seven wins.
Alta Shelby giving Mitchell Kerr his seventh win of the season
Harnesslink Media