Pardoe Plugga too good for his rivals

The Leigh Rand-trained Pardoe Plugga (Western Edition) proved too good for his harness racing rivals in the Ladbrokes Meander Valley Cup (2650m), held before a strong crowd at Carrick Park on Sunday.

The eight-year-old Western Edition gelding was sent out as a $5.50 chance, and driver Ricky Duggan ended up settling the pacer one-out and two-back from the 1800m before being produced three-wide at the 600m, proving too tough late for Khaki Nui ($31) by 1.2m, with the leader, Will He Pike ($17), a further 1.2m away third in a mile rating of 2:03.6s.

“I wasn’t really sure of his standing start manners, but he actually paced away pretty well. I didn’t bustle him out; I just let him walk away, and once he hit them, he got going pretty good,” said Duggan post-race.

“He didn’t need it to be much further, but he got the job done.

“He has got a good turn of foot and is pretty strong too. That’s the best part about him.

“It was a good result for the Rand’s. They have had a bit of trouble with him and have had to patch him up,” explained the driver.

Duggan landed a driving treble on the card, including the Wilson Homes Trainers Incentive Final (2150m) aboard the Ben Richardson-trained Royal Reactor ($5.50).

“It was good for Benny.

“He went good in the heat of that race a few weeks ago. They just went that steady early, and he was out the back and was only beaten about three meters.

“There was decent tempo early, which gave the back markers a bit of a chance, and we settled a spot or two closer which worked out good,” said the winning reinsman.

Duggan’s other win came aboard the Rohan Hillier-trained Blackbird Miss ($6.00), who has now recorded two wins from two starts this preparation.

“It was a good run from her. Near the 400m mark, she was shuffled back to last, and it was a step up in class compared to what she raced first-up.

Blackbird Miss is trained by Rohan Hillier, who shared driving honors with a driving treble on the card.

He drove the Dean Braun-trained duo Franco Promachos ($1.14 fav) and Bout Damn Time ($1.65 fav).

His other winner was Windy Hanover ($2.40 fav) who Hillier also trains.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing