Warragul’s Downtowner Pacing Cup meeting attracted a strong crowd to Logan Park on Monday, June 8, with patrons treated to an eight-race program highlighted by the heats and final of the feature event, as well as the Eddie Evison Memorial Trotters Cup.
Heat One of the Warragul Pacing Cup went the way of Monegeetta trainer-driver David Miles and four-year-old mare Evil Eye. After settling near the rear from the outside draw, Evil Eye moved forward when the pace slackened to sit outside pacemaker Allgood Vinnie before proving too strong late. She scored by a half-head from Allgood Vinnie, with Roblen Ranger third after using the sprint lane. The mile rate was 2:00.1.
Paul Tonkin-trained five-year-old Longtan Viper, driven by Ellen Tormey, claimed Heat Two. After enjoying a trail behind leader Caledonian Ranger, Longtan Viper eased clear approaching the final bend and proved too strong, defeating Inside Trading by 1.5 metres. Inexorable finished third. The mile rate was 1:56.
The 2210-metre Rodney Demmler Memorial Vicbred Voucher Pace went to Katie Lorraine for Drouin trainers Gary and Debbie Quinlan. Driven by Chris Alford, the four-year-old mare enjoyed a soft run before edging out Island Yankee in a thrilling finish, with Sahara Seakret third. The margins were a head by a head and the mile rate 2:01.4.
Longwarry trainer Geoff Walker continued the winning run of seven-year-old gelding Mister Walker in the Des and Moira Kelly Memorial Trotters Mobile. Driven by Taylor Youl, Mister Walker charged forward in the final lap before racing clear to score by 17.2 metres over Tension Seeker, with Taken By Wine third. The mile rate was 2:01.9.
The feature trot of the day, the $15,000 Eddie Evison Memorial Trotters Cup over 2627 metres, produced a dominant performance from Jayne Davies-trained three-year-old The Preacher. Driven by Chris Alford, The Preacher moved to the lead with two laps to travel and was never challenged, cruising to a 10.5-metre victory over Queen Kizen, with Tweedledee third. The mile rate was an impressive 2:03.4.
The barrier draw for the $15,000 Downtowner Warragul Pacing Cup saw Longtan Viper come up with gate five and the gelding made the most of the opportunity in the final. Pressing forward to find the front on the first turn, Longtan Viper controlled the race before holding off a late challenge from Roblen Ranger to score by a neck. Inside Trading finished third, 1.6 metres away, while Allgood Vinnie was fourth. The mile rate was 1:58.
“Everything worked out perfectly,” Ellen Tormey said after Longtan Viper’s Warragul Pacing Cup victory.
“Paul will be wrapped. He’s been setting this horse for this race for a while.”
