The Luke McCarthy-trained and driven Hesitate enhanced his Chariots Of Fire credentials after gaining entry into the race through his outstanding win in the Hip Pocket Workwear Four-Year-Old Bonanza.
First up since contesting the Victoria Derby in October last year, Hesitate Too was sent out a $3 popular elect. However, favourite backers could have been forgiven for tearing up their tickets as Hesitate Too had the entire field in front of him around the home turn.
McCarthy pulled Hesitate Too five wide on straightening and the son of Sportswriter produced a withering finale to grab victory by a metre from Sanchez and Miki B in a mile rate of 1:51.2.
McCarthy admitted his expectations weren’t high turning off the back straight.
“From where I was at the top of the back straight is an impossible spot here and the ones ahead of me weren’t carrying me into the race, but when I pulled him out, he’s just got that high speed and he hit the line super,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy said the Mick Harvey-owned pacer had derived benefit from the spell.
“He’s had a good spell now and it’s the happiest I’ve been with him. He looks really good and he’s grown a little bit and that puts us in good stead for the Chariots in a couple of weeks,” he said.
Short-course specialist Hi Manameisjeff provided the fourth of Cam Hart’s quintet of winners for the night when he took out the Mercury 80.
Hi Manameisjeff ($1.10 fav) was caught four wide early from his outside front-row draw before finding the lead with 600 metres to travel over the 1200-metre dash.
Main danger Meteor Moth reeled in the leader over the concluding stages; however, Hi Manameisjeff managed to hold on and score by a head.
“We had to do a lot more work than I thought, but full credit to him as he dug in when they came at him,” Hart said.
Hart completed a memorable Hunter Cup night when he partnered former top-class New Zealand pacer Chase A Dream to victory in The Pure Steel to round off the meeting.
