Penguin trainer Butch Deverell pulled off a minor upset when his consistent stayer Wynburn Lucifer won the state final of the National Distance Championship at Mowbray on Thursday night.
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Although Wynburn Lucifer started third favourite at $7.50, most punters expected last week’s brilliant heat winner Vrontios to score again and he was sent out at $1.50 after $2 had been bet earlier in the week.
However, whereas Vrontios and Bobby Bound both ran into traffic problems coming off the back straight, Wynburn Lucifer swooped around the outside and powered away to score a two-length victory.
Wynburn Lucifer had been in fifth place and about 10 lengths off the leaders mid-race.
Vrontios recovered to run second with first reserve Times A Bonus five lengths away third.
Wynburn Lucifer had finished almost eight lengths behind Vrontios in her heat.
The Wynburn Racing Syndicate’s bitch had won only three races prior to the final but had been placed a further 30 times.
Brilliant bitch Buckle Up Rose made it a double for North West trainers when she blitzed her rivals in the state sprint final.
Prepared by Gary Johnson at Leith, Buckle Up Rose came from just off the pace to score by four lengths from Apollo Blue and Dooper.
Both minor placegetters are trained by Butch Deverell.
POKE CHANCE TO STRIKE AGAIN
Trainer Vern Poke is quietly confident his home track success can continue when former Victorian mare Emsgem tackles the Sky Racing Maiden at Spreyton on Sunday.
Emsgem has had three starts since joining the Poke stable for three seconds.
She was narrowly beaten by promising two-year-old Magic Waler at her Tasmanian debut before chasing home another smart type in Prince Of Virtue at her next run.
Last week, the mare was narrowly beaten by her stablemate Husson Park, giving Poke his first quinella for many years.
Emsgem began quickly but couldn’t cross to the rail and was forced to race three wide all the way.
“They’ll find it hard to beat her this week from barrier three,” Poke said.
“I didn’t think she could beat Husson Park last time but I was really pleased with the way she put it.”
Former Victorian apprentice Alex Patis has retained the ride and her claim will see Emsgem carry only 52.5kg.
“Alex has been riding some work for me and I’m sure she’s going to make the grade,” Poke said.
“Being apprenticed to Adam (Trinder) she’s going to learn a lot.”
