Stunning Ararat Cup performance from emerging star

A truly stunning performance from Emma Stewart’s emerging star Cant Top This (Rock N Roll Heaven) helped give champion reinswoman Kerryn Manning a fifth harness racing victory in the Ararat Advocate Pacing Cup on Friday night (Mar. 31).

Manning was in the sulky as the six-year-old produced one of the biggest performances in the race’s history, adding to her earlier triumphs with Allbenz (1997), Go Charles (2001), Blatant Lie (2005) and Ideal Success (2016).

From gate seven, Cant Top This was trapped three deep for more than a lap before eventually working to the spot outside Helluva, who was sent forward by John Justice and wrested the lead from early pacesetter Julius Shadow.

As the field approach the home turn, Cant Top This put in a few rough strides and galloped, which seemingly handed the race to Helluva as he skipped clear into the straight. But, somehow, the Rock N Roll Heaven gelding got back down, recomposed himself and wore down the front-runner in the shadows of the post to snatch victory.

It was a stunning performance in a mile rate of 1:57.0 and closing quarters of 28.5 and 28.7.

Scott Ewen’s old marvel Bulletproof Boy sat last and stormed home for third.

Cant Top This has now won 12 of 33 career starts, with his recent Charlton and Ararat pacing cup triumphs taking his stake earnings past $139,000.

Earlier in the night, One Over All added another trophy to his owners’ cabinets when he scored a narrow success in the Premix King Ararat Trotters Cup.

The Jess Tubbs-trained and Greg Sugars-driven squaregaiter overcame a 20m handicap to grip on and beat Victree Lee, who lunged late and missed by a head.

The horse has now won his last four starts, which includes cup glory at Horsham, Charlton and Ararat.

Cant Top This is now five points clear on the season-long Trots Country Cups Championship, while One Over All has moved two ahead in the Maori’s Idol Trotting Championship.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim O’Connor for Harness Racing Victoria