Another provincial cup, another victory for the Brent Lilley/Tristan Larsen combination…it almost seems that easy!
During the past 12 months the duo have won an incredible nine Trotters’ Cup, including yesterday’s Wedderburn edition with Johns Boy.
A fortnight ago they captured Echuca’s flagship event with El Conqueror.
The gelding’s triumph provided Lilley and Larsen with consecutive wins in the race, having captured the 2025 edition with Johns Boy.
As for Johns Boy’s latest success, it is his third along the prestigious circuit.
“He came to Brent’s last January and has done a top job,” Larsen said. “He’s also run a couple of seconds in Cups, so with a touch of luck, his record would read even better.”
Beginning well from his 20-metre backmark, Johns Boy worked to the lead as early frontrunner, Im Above The Law, was eased to take a trail.
Proving too good during the latter stages, the son of Simon Roydon completed a three-metre win from Meadow Star Valley, which was game after racing in the ‘death seath’.
Im Above The Law battled on to be a half-head away third in 2:07.1 for the 2955-metre stand.
Later on the card veteran pacer Crime Writer showed age was no problem by securing the Pacing Cup.
Driven by Hannah Lewis, the 10-year-old led throughout to score by four metres from Madigan, with Curyo Gentleman a metre-and-a-half away third.
Trained by Matthew Craven, Crime Writer rated 2:00.7 over 2550 metres, taking his record to 19 wins and 25 placings from 147 starts for earnings of $296,304.
PHOTO: PAUL CAMPBELL
