Menemsha in boilover takes August Cup

Four year old gelding Menemsha (Sunshine Beach) starting at near 100/1 shocked his more fancied harness racing rivals when he stormed down the outside to take out the $50,000 Channel 7 August Cup over 2536 metres at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

Million dollar pacers Magnificent Storm and Mighty Ronaldo were expected to fight out the finish with the former installed as firm favourite.

The race was full of drama when as the field was despatched Lusaka showed enough speed from barrier 2 to lead. From barrier 8 Gary Hall Jnr elected to press forward with Mighty Ronaldo while Aiden De Campo on Magnificent Storm eased back to the rear. Arma XFactor made sure Mighty Ronaldo was made to work and he eventually raced up outside the leader.

But as the field was about to settle De Campo let loose on Magnificent Storm and he unleashed an electric burst to try and catch the field napping. However both Lusaka and Mighty Ronaldo kicked up to keep him three wide and that’s where he stayed. Eventually Mighty Ronaldo crossed Lusaka and Magnificent Storm now moved alongside. But the damage had been done to the leaders. Again with a first quarter of 28.6 seconds it was pretty obvious that the front runners would be a sitting target for those behind the pack.

Both Lusaka and Mighty Ronaldo quickly gave ground in the back straight on the final occasion and Magnificent Storm was left in front. Meanwhile both Rolling Fire and Menemsha who was a clear last going into the back straight but had done little work in the run both made sustained runs out wide. Rolling Fire gained a break and looked as if he might hold on but Menemsha maintained his run and at the finish he proved too strong for Rolling Fire and Arma XFactor.

MENEMSHA AUG 22 REPLAY

Menemsha was driven by Joseph Suvaljko for trainer Aiden De Campo who was on board favourite Magnificent Storm who eventually came home in fifth less than nine metres from the winner.

Obviously the tearaway tactics of the favourites contributed to their downfall which shows that very few horses can maintain the breakneck speed that we witnessed last night.

Nothing should be taken away from Menemsha who has always shown above average ability and last night’s success was his eighth with fifteen placings from 35 starts. He’s been seen as not quite in the very top grade but last night proved that when held up he has a devastating and sustained sprint.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink