Defeat impressed Pizzuto in $50,000 feature

When defeated in a major race there is usually disappointment but that was not the case for harness racing trainer Kevin Pizzuto.

Yes his Roll With Joe gelding Loorrim Lake won Monday’s $50,000 Treuer Memorial at Bankstown, however, Pizzuto was equally impressed by the performance of his other pacer Arden Messi (Bettors Delight) in the Group 2.

After facing the breeze in a slick pace, Arden Messi finished fifth, beaten just over 13m in a rate of 1:58.7 for the 2540m test.

“We thought we could find the lead with him and if he did, he probably wins the race,” said Pizzuto.

“He went massive, he did a power of work and was entitled to get tired and in the end wasn’t beaten that far.

“He led in last year’s race when they broke the track record and just has had no luck in his runs.”

Pizzuto is hoping the luck will change for Arden Messi as he contemplates a trip to Queensland with the gelding to aim at the $350,000 Blacks A Fake Championship next month.

As for Loorrim Lake, Pizzuto was impressed with the pacer’s success making it back-to-back victories and defending his title in the time-honoured feature.

Driven by Wes Komorowski, Loorrim Lake was positioned perfectly in the running line as Stingray Tara and Arden Messi did the battle in front.

The quarters were 31.1, 30, 29.6 and 30.8 seconds with Loorrim Lake crossing the line with more than three metres to spare on his rivals.

LOORRIM LAKE REPLAY

“He went well . . . it’s not easy to win that race two years in-a-row,” said Pizzuto.

“It was a good race and I’m happy for his connections.”

To view complete results, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink