The story of tonight’s Natale and Camera Italian Cup Pace at Mildura was the long-awaited return of 2018 TAB Inter Dominion contender San Carlo.
Given the obvious origins of the pacer’s name, omen players may have ignored the fact San Carlo was deep in the red and just taken the $1.04 on offer. And truth be told, he never looked like losing, although he did have to do it the hard way.
Regardless of what he has beaten, for San Carlo to monster his rivals from off the pegs around Mildura over the sprint suggests he is back #ID18
— Blake Redden (@BlakeRedden) October 12, 2018
In-form local Brocks Territory and Luke Watson weren’t going to relinquish top billing in the run and San Carlo's driver, Bec Bartley, would have to breeze aboard her champ.
Despite covering extra ground however, the eight-year-old eventually drew clear for a 5.5m win in a rate of 1:55.9, simply proving too classy for his rivals as San Carlo took his important first steps towards ID18.
"We're really happy with him," Bartley said.
"He pulled up really good and we're looking at either Swan Hill or Cranbourne (Cup), but will see how he travels home.
"He's probably about 90 per cent at the moment and needed the run tonight."
San Carlo won a heat of last year's Inter Dominion in Perth before finishing ninth in the grand final.
The victory was the second leg of a winning double for Bartley and trainer Stephen O’Donoghue, who combined to win the fifth race at Mildura with honest six-year-old Willem.
Have you checked out GoodForm Punters' Paradise for the Pryde's EasiFeed Victoria Cup?