Gross Naso’s late burst prevails in Championship Final

A patient harness racing drive by Robert Morris was the key factor in Grosso Nasso’s (Bettors Delight) win in an exciting $75,000 TAB Regional Championship Final at Newcastle last night.

The event alongside the Cup was regarded as the showpiece for the meeting.

Having his first drive in the event for trainer Antony Missen, Morris took the gelding to the front from the pole draw. However Mitch Chapple on Always Be Chaps seemed determined to find the front and he eventually did so with Grosso Nasso taking the trail and favourite Walter Warlock caught outside the leader. But he didn’t stay there for long as Major Reason whizzed around the field from near the rear to race outside the leader.

GROSS NASO DEC 5 REPLAY

Always Be Chaps still led on the final bend but he was tackled by Major Reason. However in a stroke of genius Gross Nasso took the split between the two and the big gelding strode clear. However Walter Warlock continued to sustain a run out four wide.

However Gross Naso had the momentum and he held off Walter Warlock by just under two metres. Major Reason who had to do plenty of work battled on strongly for third. Gross Naso ran 1.56.3 for the 2030 metres.

Actually Gross Naso is bred to be above average. His dam the Art Major mare Louvre won 16 races and 12 placings from 44 starts and just over $400,000 in stake money. As a three year old she was a dual Group 1 winner taking out the Alabar Breeders and the APG fillies final at Menangle and as a two year old taking out the Breeders Challenge Final and the Victorian Sapling Stakes.

Gross Naso is her best performer to date but she has also left the capable winning fillies Delightful Lou and Miss Hornigold.

For trainer Anthony Missen who trains at Tamworth it was one of his biggest successes.

It was a nice win I didn’t know if he’d get the late split but. Sloys the breeders had him on the internet for sale and we got him for $4,300. It’s eight wins now and he’s clicked well in the bush surroundings. We put a little syndicate together and the rest is history. Our usual driver Blake Hughes elected to drive Grace Panella’s horse which was fair enough. So it worked out good. I didn’t think we could lead all the way to be honest over the 2000 metres.

So we had to take the sit and there’s always pot luck doing that and it worked out.

I said to Robbie you’re the man. You’ve driven more winners than me. So just go out there and do it.

We’re looking at the Golden Guitar in Tamworth. Not sure how many points we get tonight. He was a 70 (rated) so the Golden Guitar is up to 75.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink