San Carlo has announced he’s set for a big summer with an impressive win in the Decron Cranbourne Gold Cup on Saturday ahead of a star-studded field.

The eight-year-old showed he’ll again be a major player in this year’s TAB Inter Dominion series with a hard-fought win in the Trots Country Cups Championship leg ahead of short-priced Tiger Tara ($2.10) and Shadow Sax ($2.70).

San Carlo took the lead early and largely controlled proceedings before holding off a spirited Tiger Tara by a half-neck on the line.

It was the gelding’s second win in two starts this campaign after being a class above in the Italian Cup Pace in Mildura on October 12.

Driver Rebecca Bartley said she was advantaged by being able to set the pace in front without much heat.

“I thought someone would have come and put a bit of pressure on but they left me alone,” she said. “That really helped us.”

She said Tiger Tara’s initial charge at the mile mark came as no surprise and was impressed with San Carlo’s effort to go with the pace.

“I was a bit worried about his fitness but he tried 110 per cent,” she said. “I knew we’d have to get running at some stage and it was a quick quarter down the back.

“I actually didn’t realise I’d won. There was the two (Tiger Tara and Shadow Sax) on the outside and I had the slight feeling that I’d won, but I wasn’t quite sure.”

Bartley said she couldn’t be more proud of the horse, who was having a big impact on her life. 

“I’d never thought I’d get a horse that would take me this far,” she said. “And I didn’t think a horse could have so much of an impact on so many people’s lives. The amount of texts and phone calls we’ve all received, it’s a bit overwhelming really.”

The win sees San Carlo join the Trots Country Cups Championship leaderboard.

After three legs, Kilmore cup winner Im the Boss sits atop the premiership standings with eight points ahead of Swan Hill cup winner Menin Gate and San Carlo with five points. Bad Billy, Magical Marn, Three Ways and Tiger Tara each have three points. 

Bartley said San Carlo would likely enter for the Yarra Valley Cup and possibly one other race before tackling the TAB Inter Dominion Pacing Championship, which kicks off with heat one at Tabcorp Park Melton on December 1.

The cup wasn't the only Saturday night result to potentially offer some big ID18 insights.

Andy Gath’s Tornado Valley was outstanding in a strong win in the Alderbaran Park Chris Howe Trotters Free For All, sitting tough outside Red Hot Tooth and careering away to win by 13.5m in a track record. His 2:00.3 mile rate shaved 0.6 seconds off Keystone Del’s 2016 record.

The ID18 favourite did nothing but enhance his reputation in Kate Gath’s hands, winning from fellow Inter Dominion nominees Sky Petite (second), Kyvalley Blur (third), Father Christmas (fourth) and Red Hot Tooth (fifth).

The latter was a $7 pop and led but was ultimately beaten 23.2m, with Paul Males, husband of trainer Kari, revealing on Twitter post-race the mare “kicked the wheels” and “overraced”.

Much of Saturday night’s trotting field is expected to return on December 8, when Cranbourne Harness Racing Club hosts the third round of Inter Dominion heats.

The Trots Country Cups carnival won’t have to journey too far for its fourth pacing and third trotting leg, with the Yarra Valley Racing Club to host its cups day on November 8 (Victoria Oaks Day).