Ex-Kiwi pacer wins the $106,000 Redcliffe Gold Cup

Ex-Kiwi pacer Loyalist (Bettor’s Delight) took out the $106,000 (Group 2) 2023 Redcliffe Gold Cup at Redcliffe last night (Jun 24) for harness racing trainer Jason Grimson.

Driver Seaton Grima had Loyalist brilliantly away from the standing start rolling to an early lead before handing up to the stablemate Betterzippit and driver Jack Trainer with a mile to go.

In the straight Loyalist pulled out of the trail and in a stirring home stretch battle, managed to get an advantage just before the line, winning by 1.1m from a game Betterzippit in second.

Make Mine Memphis ran third. The favourite for the race Tims A Trooper galloped early and only battled in the run home.

LOYALIST REPLAY

On a big night of premier racing, Queensland trainer Grant Dixon had a meeting to remember when he won several of the feature races, many of them with ex-Kiwi horses.

Dixon won the $52,000 Group 3 2023 Redcliffe Oaks with Always B Miki filly Cheer Leader, the listed $103,000 Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series 2yo final with Bettor Cullect (Gotta Go Cullect), the Redcliffe Gold Cup Consolation with the ex-kiwi Miracle Moose (Mach Three) and the Redcliffe Derby Consolation with outsider and ex-Kiwi pacer Aroda (Art Major)

In what was a huge upset in the Redcliffe Oaks, Dixon gave Cheer Leader a beautiful run three deep on the fence before moving to the outside at the turn and running to win comfortably at bolters odds ($61.00), beating the Bernie Hewitt trained Jewel Melody and No Dramas in third.

CHEER LEADER REPLAY

The hot favourite for the race the Belinda McCarthy trained Peaceful was disappointing, leading most of the way but fading in the run home.

In the $103,000 Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series 2yo Final, 2yo filly Bettor Cullect was too quick for the colts and geldings leading all the way to run out a deserved winner with Dixon doing the driving.

BETTOR CULLECT REPLAY

One of the features of the night, the $52,000 Redcliffe Derby was taken out by another Ex-Kiwi pacer in Rocknroll Hammer (A Rocknroll Dance) for the powerful Belinda McCarthy barn.

Driver Luke McCarthy gave Rocknroll Hammer a good run in the trail and the smart 3yo lifted late in the run home to get the decision by a narrow margin from Aardies Flash and driver Pete McMullen.

ROCKNROLL HAMMER REPLAY

For complete race results, click here.

by Harnesslink Media