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Bernie Hewitt’s smart four year old gelding Royal Cruiser (Sweet Lou) showed a welcome return to form when he blitzed his rivals in the Open Divided Pace at Albion Park on Saturday evening.
The race had plenty of interest as it was the first appearance of local pacers Speak The Truth, Jimartee and Tims A Trooper since their Inter dominion campaigns a fortnight ago.
Speak The Truth who chased home Leap to Fame in the Inter Dominion Final was sent out a hot favourite but from the wide draw was taken back by driver Adam Sanderson.
Driven by local reinsman Brendan Barnes, Royal Cruiser showed scintillating early speed to clearly lead the field.
Jimartee who was successful in the Inter Dominion Consolation was three wide early but eventually worked up outside Royal Cruiser. However Speak The Truth was taken three wide from the rear but couldn’t improve his position.
ROYAL CRUISER AUG 1 REPLAY
Royal Cruiser was running his rivals a merry dance running his four quarters in 27.7 , 28.6 28.1 and 28 seconds and he had all his rivals off the bit on the final bend. Jimartee who had done all the chasing tried valiantly but the effort told and although he held on for second was nineteen metres from Royal Cruiser and Frankie Ferocious who finished strongly for third.
Royal Cruiser hadn’t won since Bathurst in mid May but he had performed reasonably well without success in this recent Queensland campaign.
To his credit although he had a torrid run Speak The Truth battled away for fourth. He may still travel south and hopefully will have an easier run than in last night’s effort.
The win of Royal Cruiser completed a double for trainer Bernie Hewitt who scored the opening event with the speedy and underrated Our Goat (Warrawee Needy) who showed his customary early speed to record 1.50.2 for the 1660 metres.
Hewitt who is based at Bathurst has a wonderful record with youngsters and continues to present quality two and three year olds year after year.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
