Zadaka to defend Ararat Cup title

After a blowout victory in last year’s Renown Silverware Ararat Pacing Cup, Zadaka is back to defend the crown in the harness racing feature.

Greg Norman’s gelding stunned punters 12 months ago with success at in excess of $50 and is one of 11 runners in this Sunday’s Group 3 $35,000 country feature.

He is now trained by South Australian Jamie Williams and will be driven at Ararat by veteran reinsman Brian Gath.

The 2195m event has drawn a quality group of rivals, including free for all sparring partners Bettor Be The Bomb (Basil Dooley) and Torrid Saint (Julie Douglas), the latter’s stablemate Major Roll, Emma Stewart’s former star Demon Delight and the in-form Kimble from the Matthew Craven yard.

Jodi Quinlan drove Zadaka to victory last year, but will partner Demon Delight at the weekend.

The Mountain View Stud Ararat Trotters Cup will also be run at Group 3 level, over the standing start trip of 2570m.

Well Defined won last year’s race, but Kate Hargreaves’ star is not returning to defend his title. Instead, a field of seven combatants will chase the lion’s share of the $25,000 purse.

Champion trainer Andy Gath will be represented by in-form squaregaiter Peakz Luck – a winner of three of her past four starts – while Anne-Maree Conroy has Margaret Ruth looking for back-to-back victories after a long-awaited triumph at Melton last Friday night. Robbie Royale, who raced through last year’s Inter Dominion series, will also chase cup glory for Brent Lilley, as will Mick Blackmore’s Jackson Square.

The racing action kicks off with the opening event from 3.24pm with the last of 10 to go just after 8pm. Tim O’Connor and young driver Shannon O’Sullivan will host the wall-to-wall TrotsVision coverage, with a punters club and live music all part of the day’s entertainment.

Click here for Ararat fields on Sunday.

By Tim O’Connor for HRV