Ex-kiwi pacer Cranbourne (Lincoln Royal) has taken out the Group Two Shepparton Gold Cup ($75,000) tonight (Jan. 14) in the hands of harness racing driver Nathan Jack.
Jack had Cranbourne in front not long after the start and the imposing gelding cruised along in the lead before sprinting best up the straight to beat this years Inter Dominion winner I Cast No Shadow.
The margin for the winner was half a neck at the line.
Cranbourne ran the race out in 3:19.7 for the 2690m mobile, representing a mile rate of 1:59.5. The last 800m was cut out in a slick 54.5seconds with a closing 400m in 26.6 seconds.
Cranbourne blazes early and late to gift Nathan Jack his first Neatline Homes Shepparton Gold Cup and David Aiken his fourth, winning ahead of ID22 champ I Cast No Shadow.
The US-bound Kiwi looks set for a big TAB Summer of Glory after an impressive Victorian debut. pic.twitter.com/Iuy5ychPkkā The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) January 14, 2023
Trainer David Aiken is planning a trip to North America with Cranbourne later this year but not before chasing a Miracle Mile start with the six-year-old via qualifying races in New South Wales.
For complete race results, click here.