Kimcando’s last gasp win in Junee Cup

The benefit of a pole draw was a decisive factor in the mare Kimcando (American Ideal) when she scored a narrow harness racing win in the Phoenix Accounting and Business Services Junee Pacing Cup at the famed Riverina circuit on Saturday evening.

Driven by her young trainer Codi Rauchenberger Kimcando tried to hold the early lead but Shez Sweet Louise who was heavily backed into favouritism showed too much speed and was taken to the front by Isobel Ross.

With Distinction was caught outside the leader then unfortunately he broke up and had to settle back to the rear of the field.

Catchafire coming off the back of his Leeton Cup win was in the second half of the field.

KIMCANDO 24 JAN REPLAY

However Shez Sweet Louise looked to be travelling well enough on the final bend and she cleared away with what appeared to be a winning break. But Kimcando was not to be denied and gradually she overhauled Shez Sweet Louis to take out the Cup by a head with Messerati third ahead of Catchafire who never looked likely to catch the leaders.

Kimcando rated 1.58.4 and gave Rauchenberger one of her biggest successes to date. Kimcando is out of the former smart race mare Jazzam (Christian Cullen) who won 24 races for over $231,000 in stake money. At stud she has left RocknRoll Pearl and Justify both who were useful performers.

With Distinction who finished down the track was found to have cast a shoe so under the circumstances his run would be best forgotten.

It proved to be a big night for the Junee Harness Racing Club. Following the success of last year they ran another Sheep Shear competition ahead of the nine event card of racing. They have three meetings left over the summer period.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink