Fourth winter cup for Fifth Edition

Fifth Edition has wound back the clock to win his second Rangiora Harness Racing Winter Cup in three years and fourth winter cup of his career.

The Cran Dalgety-trained pacer spent almost 18 months away from the races because of injury but the patience of his connections was rewarded at Rangiora on Sunday when he brought up his first win since July 2014.

Fifth Edition beat home back-marker Tijuana Bromac​ by one and a quarter lengths with a further half head back to Flyin Heather in third.

Fifth Edition is raced by his breeders John and Margaret Smith, Tony and Gay Moody plus Brent Smith and Case Witteman​.

Sunday's win was just his fourth start since returning to the races.

Dexter Dunn, who drove Fifth Edition to victory, said the win was all about repaying the patient owners.

"It's great for John and Margaret Smith, they have been with Cran for a long time and they just love racing," Dunn said.

After the win, Brett Smith paid credit to Dalgety for getting Fifth Edition back from his injury troubles where he needed bone chips removed from an ankle.

Dunn believes his two runs in Nelson last week gave him the fitness edge for his Rangiora win.

"He did it pretty easy in the end, he was under a hold at the line," Dunn said.

Fifth Edition quickly caught the main pack from his 30m handicap, aided by front-marker and favourite The Manipulator being slow away.

Dunn was able to find the one-one when brother John took Callenberg​ up to challenge The Manipulator for the lead.

With 600m to run and Callenberg tiring, Dunn launched Fifth Edition three wide to chase down the Mark Purdon​ and Natalie Rasmussen-trained The Manipulator down.

The Manipulator faded to fourth with his softening up form Callenberg clearly taking its toll.

Meanwhile, unbeaten colt Our Waikiki Beach will remain in New South Wales rather than heading to Brisbane for the Queensland Derby.

A trip to Queensland was being considered last week after connections missed the cut off for his nomination for the semifinals of the New South Wales Breeders' Challenge.

Part-owner Trevor Casey has confirmed he will race at Menangle and in a Breeders Crown heat before heading to the Breeders Crown final to round out his season.​

Mat Kermeen