Luck paves the way for Trooper in Derby

Tintin In America gelding Tims A Trooper added another harness racing feature to his record winning tonight’s Group 3 $31,160 Redcliffe Derby.

Despite being the highest stakes earner in the feature, Tims A Trooper was one of the outside chances at starting odds of $14.

Trainer-driver Grant Dixon admitted luck played a role in this feature success.

“We got all the luck in the run,” the 15-time Group 1 winning driver said.

Starting from barrier five, Dixon immediately eased Tims A Trooper back where he eventually gained cover by the race favourite Ripp to land the one-one.

The tempo was honest throughout with Teddy Disco leading the charge in front.

With an unbeaten record at Redcliffe prior to tonight, Teddy Disco ran through the first three quarters in 29.9, 30 and 27.5 seconds.

The final split was 29.3, allowing Tims A Trooper to win the feature by a half-head over Dangerzone who made a late charge along the pegs.

Teddy Disco was third while the public elect Ripp finished sixth, beaten more than 14m, however did not handle the half-mile track according to driver Doug Hewitt.

The mile rate for the 2280m event was 1:56.9.

TIMS A TROOPER REPLAY

Raced by Solid Earth Pty Ltd, Tims A Trooper will be aimed at The Rising Sun.

“The Rising Sun is going to be a super hard race and hopefully he can be right on the night,” said Dixon.

The Rising Sun, worth $305,000, will be held at Albion Park on July 7 and invitations to the three and four-year-old feature have been issued to Ladies In Red, Bettor Eclipse, Leap To Fame and Ripp, so far.

For complete race results, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink