3 minute read

Ace reinsman Robert Morris admitted he did a double-take when he saw that Queensland visitor Tims A Trooper was a 33-1 shot going into tonight’s $150,000 Breeders Challenge Two-Year-Old colts and geldings final.

"He finished right at the wheels of My Ultimate Ronnie and Smaltese last start and he had trained on really well since that run," grinned Morris.

Tims A Trooper  did the rest, coming from well back to score a stunning win at odds of $41. "I just couldn't believe he was the price he was," said Morris.

"I knew his Queensland trainer Grant Dixon had a pretty good opinion of him when he sent him down for this series.

"I have to say Grant and Trista Dixon deserve all the credit, they have done a great job educating this bloke and if not for COVIT they would have been here.

"KerryAnn and I have only been looking after him for a short time and he has raced really well here."

Yet even Morris admitted his chances in the Group 1 looked a little forlorn when the short-priced favourite My Ultimate Byron was able to work to the lead without too much opposition.

"I was really hoping that Smaltese would kick up in the middle there and make him work a bit harder," said the popular Menangle reinsman.

Yet the race didn't pan out as some expected as My Ultimate Ronnie found the front after a short battle and My Ultimate Byron was quickly on the scene to take the front from him.

With a first half of 55.7 second (splits of 26s and 29.7), many were entitled to expect My Ultimate Byron, unbeaten in his only seven starts, would have enough gas in the tank to hold them off in the run home.

Yet Tims A Trooper came with a barnstorming finish to score by one and a half metres from My Ultimate Byron, with My Ultimate Ronnie a head back in third in a 1:51.9 mile rate.