It was an all local affair in last night’s Yarrawonga Refrigeration and Airconditioning Wangaratta Pacing Cup.
Proving too good despite her second row draw, Tizzy Lizzie is bred, owned, trained and driven by a ‘home crew’.
Former Club committeeman Bernie Blackshaw bred the mare along with his wife, Marg, while Peter Romero prepares the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven.
Topping off the local connection is young reinsman Harry O’Neill.
“It is always good to see a local to win, especially one of the big races and even more especially when it’s us,” Romero said. “I know Bernie has a strong connection to the club and I am rapt for him and Marg.”
Caught two-back along the pegs as Sunstar worked to the lead from barrier six, Tizzy Lizzie received a minor check along the back straight before gaining a saloon passage along the inside.
Angled three-wide around the final bend, Tizzy Lizzie reached the front in the final stride to score by a half-neck from Our Cheeky Devil.
Sassyola was three metres away third in 1:58.6 over 2210 metres.
“It was a great win,” Romero said. “Earlier in the week I told Harry I think we can win this.
“I wasn’t saying she was a certainty, I just felt this could be her night and thankfully it was.
“Once she got motoring she hit the line strongly and got there just in time.”
Romero is no stranger to glory in the Cup, having won the 2016 edition with former rising star Wingara.
With his career cut short after 13 wins and two placings from 18 starts, Wingara’s victories also include the George Croxford Tribute, which is a Listed Classic, in Wangaratta in 2015.
“It’s been a while since I won the Cup, so it is great to be on the honour roll again,” Romero said.
Having his fifth start back after an 11-month absence from the races due to a serious suspensory injury, Abitofadreamer claimed the Reflex Glass / J and T Joinery Wangaratta Trotters Cup in track record time for driver Mark Pitt.
In doing so, the son of Used To Me also provided trainer Kim Procter with her dream of winning a Cup.
“I couldn’t be prouder of him,” Procter said. “I was devastated when he injured his suspensory and it has been a long road back.
“He spent seven months in a small paddock, then had a slow and steady build up.
“I have to thank Ray and Deb Pace for helping with his leg when he first injured it and the vet Nick Robson for his ongoing advice.”
