Bold Centurian finds form in Sinbad Bay heat

Bold Centurian (Betterthancheddar) ended a run of outs when scoring in the first harness racing heat of the Sinbad Bay in Launceston on Friday night.

Sent out as the $5.50 second favourite, reinsman Brodie Davis positioned the pacer behind the leader before working into the clear in the home straight to run down $1.45 favourite Maebee, who raced outside the leader throughout.

Trainer Steven Davis was delighted with the win, which was the pacer’s first since scoring in a heat of the Allan Williams in Burnie in March last year.

“He has been knocking on the door for another win, I thought he would run second again turning for home, but he found a new lease on life and put his head in front for once,” he said.

“The (pole) draw always helps. Brodie gave him an economical run and had they had the last crack at him, but I was a little bit worried as he is a horse that normally needs to wind up a little bit,” Steven explained.

The six-year-old Betterthancheddar entire, who had won one of his previous 64 starts, has been a battle for the trainer.

“For a horse that works like he does, he is very frustrating.”

It was a real family affair with Steven’s wife Marni, a part owner of the pacer, along with Greg Pearton.

Steven and Marni’s daughter Tamsyn was also trackside on strapping duties.

There are two more heats of the Sinbad Bay that the pacer is still eligible for before the $20,000 Final on Tasmania Cup night in Hobart on 18 March.

“We will have a look at what’s on, but we will likely give him another run before the final,” the Spreyton-based trainer said.

The fillies equivalent of the series, the Jane Ellen, also commenced with race favourite Moth Hunter.

The daughter of Huntsville had to do some work early to find and hold the lead, but the filly eyed off the open gate near the 1850m, which resulted in her leading the one-wide line for a short distance before regaining the lead.

Reinsman Rohan Hillier kicked away at the top of the home straight on the $2.40 favourite to go on and score by 5.2m over the fast-finishing Indianna Sanz.

The win was the first leg of a driving double for Hillier, who shared driving honours at the meeting with Tiarna Ford.

Training honours went to Ben Yole with four training wins.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing