Im Corzin Terror takes out Hamilton Pacing Cup

Im Corzin Terror added a sixth Victorian country cup to his harness racing resume on Sunday at Hamilton in Victoria’s south-west.

In front of a bumper crowd the eight-year-old Dean Braun-trained pacer overcame a 20-metre handicap to win the Matthews Petroleum Hamilton Pacing Cup over 2660m in fast time.

Im Corzin Terror’s mile rate of 1:57.7 was just 0.3secs outside Restrepo’s track record mark set last year.

Driven by Greg Sugars, Im Corzin Terror made his move with over a lap to go, moving to the breeze outside leader Keayang Cullen – the favourites 1-2 at the bell.

When Sugars pushed the button Im Corzin Terror put Keayang Cullen to the sword and no other challengers emerged thereafter, Im Corzin Terror cruising to the line to score a 7.5m win over Tasmanian longshot The Majority, who benefited from a ripper Mark Yole drive, with Charlie Machsheen a bold third for Craig Demmler.

“He felt like a winner a long, long way out,” Sugars said.

“He was the best performed horse in the race today and over the trip. I was always pretty confident.”

Im Corzin Terror will head towards the A.G. Hunter Cup but could still line up in next weekend’s Ballarat Cup. He’s the reigning cup champion at Bray Raceway. He has won cups at Hamilton, Ballarat, Terang, Bendigo, and twice at Maryborough.

The Majority ran a mighty race at big odds in second place, trailing the leader Keayang Cullen before jumping on to the back of Im Corzin Terror at the home corner.

Charlie Machsheen loomed large at the top of the straight and ended up third, 8.8m behind the winner, while Macho Comacho – a stablemate of the winner – ran fourth and the well-backed Jadahson was sixth.

Keayang Cullen finished last with punters keeping an eye on the veterinarian’s report to see if that brings an explanation.

Earlier on the card Emma Stewart-trained Kingofthestars (Sportswriter/Kirrilee Joy) took out the Western District Employment Agency 3YO Pace with Nathan Jack in the sulky.

The colt rated 1:56.5 and won by 8.1m over Soho Madeleine.

Kingofthestars will head towards the Victoria Derby.

>> Video – relive Im Corzin Terror’s ultra-impressive Hamilton Pacing Cup win

WINNERS’ BREEDING/OWNERSHIP

Matthews Petroleum Hamilton Pacing Cup

IM CORZIN TERROR (By Western Terror out of Corzanello)
Owner: Pauline McColgan
Breeders: C. McGowan, J L Smolenski, D J Smolenski.

Cody Winnell

Harness Racing Victoria