Sir Nelson Of Ascot wins the Middys Eastern Zone Challenge Heat at Cranbourne last Friday. Picture courtesy Graeme ProsserGISBORNE-trained pacer Sir Nelson Of Ascot booked his place in the $20,000 Eastern Zone Challenge final with a come-from-behind heat win at Cranbourne on Friday.
Starting at generous odds on the strength of only moderate recent form, Sir Nelson Of Ascot was handily placed behind the leader as Bacada Star set a solid tempo throughout the race.
Turning for home trainer/driver Brendan Said took advantage of a late inside run and Sir Nelson Of Ascot darted to victory over an unlucky Third Tee and race favourite Crusaders Castle.
The final of the Eastern Zone Challenge is at Yarra Valley tomorrow (Friday) and Said will again be hoping for luck in running.
“He doesn’t win all that often, but, if he can be saved for one sharp run, Sir Nelson Of Ascot can get home very quickly,” Said explained.
Beaten favourite Crusaders Castle shapes as one of the horses to beat at Yarra Valley given he is now three runs back from a lengthy spell.
But favouritism will undoubtedly rest with former Kiwi Lighting Two Up, who has been super impressive in winning all three of his Australian starts for trainer Dean Braun.
Racing returns to Cranbourne on Saturday, 2 May when the club hosts its Girls Night Out race meeting.
Leading reinswomen Kate Gath, Jodi Quinlan and Simone Walker will all be doing their bit for the girls out on the track and hoping to continue their recent successes on the circuit.
And the club will provide loads of entertainment off the track specifically aimed at the ladies.
There will be fashion, dance and fitness demonstrations on stage at regular intervals during the night and a host of market stalls provide an opportunity for a little ‘retail therapy’ in the lead up to Mothers’ Day.
The evening rounds off with a free disco after the last race.
