Keayang Chucky’s finishing burst takes out Dullard Cup

The brilliant but wayward trotter Keayang Chucky (Love You) gave his supporters a scare before finishing fast to take out one of harness racing’s premier events the Woodlands Stud Group 3 $30,000 VL Dullard Cup at Melton last night.

Coming off the back of a brilliant win in the Hamilton Trotters Cup where he won from the backmark of 50 metres Keayang Chucky broke in the score up as the mobile was getting ready and settled back in the field.

Ebony’s Avenger led but a daring move by Chris Alford on Queen Elida saw her whizz around to the front where he steadied her. Keayang Chucky had made up his ground but driver Jason Lee had him three and four wide on the final bend.

Showing real class Keayang Chucky knuckled down to his task and he overhauled Queen Elida within the last 50 metres by over a metre with Ebony’s Avenger two metres away a credible third.

Keayang Chucky storms home with Jason Lee to take home the Woodlands Stud V L Dullards Group 3 Trotting Cup for trainers Margaret and Paddy Lee. pic.twitter.com/URBbb6T0cN

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) January 25, 2025

Driver Jason Lee was philosophical after the race over his race manners.

“It’s probably disappointing, great to win the race we’re really happy but disappointed we didn’t get it right early and it’s going to make it harder for next week (the Great Southern Star) when we’re making costly mistakes like that but all credit to him he was super.”

“It’s not an ideal preparation. We went pretty steady in the middle and make up ground pretty good. We were on Queen Elida’s back early but he didn’t have to come on until late but he was still going OK on the line. He hasn’t got any blinds on so I didn’t ask him to go until the last 30 to 40 metres”.

There’s no doubt that on his best behaviour that Keayang Chucky will take beating in the Great Southern Star but he won’t be able to afford any mistakes against the likes of The Locomotive, Arcee Phoenix and Oscar Bonavena who will make for formidable opposition.

Keayang Chucky is now out of the draw but if he was to perform satisfactorily in a trial he would be eligible to be back in the draw for the Final of the Great Southern Star.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink