Rakero Rebel’s well timed burst takes out Geelong Cup

Much improved harness racing mare Rakero Rebel (Rock N Roll Heaven) finished strongly edging out a gallant Mach Dan In the $40,000 Group 3 Apco Geelong Pacing Cup last night.

Despite being only a disappointing field of six runners, the race attracted plenty of interest. Mach Dan was going for his third Geelong Cup in succession while the smart pacer Keayang Tokyo had the pole draw.

In a very fast run first 400 metres Jason Lee on Keayang Tokyo was able to hold the lead from Mach Dan who could not cross and then was left outside the leader. In the meantime Greg Sugars abroad Rakero Rebel was able to secure the perfect one out and one back trail with Act Now who was resuming behind the leader.

Mach Dan started to apply pressure to Keayang Tokyo with a lap left to travel and the two were locked together along the back straight. Despite having had a harder run Mach Dan moved clear on straightening but he could not withstand Rakero Rebel’s finishing burst and the mare prevailed to score by half a neck. Mach Dan was ahead of Tango Tara who came from the rear of the field to finish third.

Greg Sugars was gracious in his praise of Mach Dan who he actually drove when he won last year’s Cup. “Thankfully we came out on top. He’s an old war horse and raced in top company right through his career, he’s just a magnificent old horse.

“Before the race there were two scenarios with Keayang Tokyo leading or Mach Dan crossing over which would have led to us racing in single file. I thought Jason would lead if he could.”

“I knew it would be close. Our mare was only second up and we weren’t quite sure if she was 100 percent rock hard. Thankfully she stuck her head out. We got her to the race track earlier than planned.”

Sugars is optimistic that Rakero Rebel can go better in the future.

“She ran third to Leap to Fame in the Cranbourne Cup and she’s a tough stayer. We’ll be looking at running her at this year’s Queen Elizabeth Mile at Menangle Park in May. We set her for that last year and she was interfered with. Beyond we’ll look at other feature races for mares.”

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink