Foray wins Cranbourne Cup at Australian debut

Harness racing trainer Ross Sugars and reinsman son Greg made a winning Foray to Cranbourne on Saturday night for the Group 2 Bruce Skeggs Memorial Cranbourne Trotters Cup.

First-up since arriving in the Sugars stables just over a fortnight ago, six-year-old Foray, by Armbro Invasion out of Queen Of The Mountain, finished strongest over 2555m to defeat early leader Our Overanova and a death-seating favourite Kyvalley Blur in a track record mile rate of 2:02.4.

“My expectations were that he could probably run third and that he wouldn’t beat Kyvalley Blur or Our Overanova,” trainer Sugars said.

“But he was really suited by the tempo, which made it difficult for Kyvalley Blur.”

Greg Sugars hardly flinched aboard Foray in the home straight, carefully levelling him up with Our Overanova before the winner got his bib in front in the shadows of the post.

Foray’s trainer explained the trotter had a habit of galloping at vital stages when based in New Zealand’s South Island.

“That’s why Greg nursed him a bit,” he said.

Asked what Greg said post-race, Sugars replied: “That was all right, wasn’t it?”

“We’re pretty happy with it.

“It’s not often you win your TM0 and it’s worth $30,000.”

Foray is raced by a group of owners in New Zealand with Matt and Maryanne Hickey the pair who deal closest with Sugars.

The pacesetter, Our Overanova driven by John Caldow, trotted through a lead time of 72 – three seconds quicker than Keystone Del ran in last year’s Cranbourne Cup – before a first half of 63.8secs.

Our Overanova was slipped a bit more rein down the back straight for a 29secs third split before a fourth quarter of 29.5secs made for a 58.5secs final half.

Our Overanova finished a head behind the winner with Kyvalley Blur 8.1m off in third.

by Cody Winnell