By Michael Dumesny
Canowindra owned pacer Attack and Destroy earnt a spot in the rich Canola Cup final at Eugowra by flashing down the outside to take out his heat on Saturday.
Driven by Mark Butler, Attack and Destroy is owned locally by Garry and Carmel Bryant.
Pacing enthusiasts received a treat at Eugowra when brilliant Dubbo pacer Karloo Mick (Barry Lew, $1.04) was given a "tune up run" in the Ag & Vet services and Nufarm pace (2100m).
The Interdominion runner up was sent out at unbackable odds and didn't get out of second gear.
Trainer/driver Barry Lew took the champ back to last out of the gate and when the pace slackened up front he set the gelding alight, circling the small field to find the spot outside the lead.
On straightening for home, Lew gave "Mick" a little bit of rein and it was game over as he raced clear to score a comfortable fourteen metre victory.
Runner up in the event was evergreen pacer Randall (Jason Turnbull, $9.00).
The old boy slotted into the one out, one back trail early and fought on strongly to run second.
Special Card (Lionel Govers, $6.00) sat behind the leader and appeared to have every chance.
The first heat of the 2006 Canola Cup (2100m) was taken out by Dubbo trained mare Zippy Life (Nathan Hoy, $3.50) who had a hard run in the early stages.
But when she was able to roll to the lead, Hoy was able to give the mare a bit of a breather, leaving enough petrol in the tank to hold a one metre advantage to the line.
A Girl Named Blake (Brett Hutchings, $6.00) was given a good run in the running line throughout and may have headed Zippy Life halfway down the straight.
But a lack of recent racing told on the Parkes owned mare.
Odds on favourite Metaphor (Peter Trevor-Jones, $1.70) was disappointing in not qualifying for the final by running third.
Heat Two was taken out by Lagoon trained mare Costly Kindness (Jason Turnbull, $4.00).
Turnbull sat his charge in the one out, one back trail and when he ask her for an effort sprinted quickly, sweeping up and grabbing victory by a metre.
Istat Roostas (Malcolm Smith, $3.50) was one of the biggest runs of the day after facing the breeze and working hard, the Sydneysider just failed to hold on.
Toris Charm (Nathan Hoy, $3.00) appeared unlucky in running third as she was held up for a run at vital stages.
Young trained horse Grandin (Scott Osmond, $ 4.60) sped out of the gate and jumped straight to the lead form barrier number six in the Forbes Livestock Pace (2100m). Osmond rated his horse well in front, which proved too strong in the run to the line.
Stoneridge Skid (Joe Govers, $15.00) came off the winner's back and despite chasing hard, was 14 metres in arrears of the Grandin.
Perfect Conclusion (Peter Trevor Jones, $1.70) was caught out wide early and was restrained by his driver to take a run on the pegs.
He got home well for third without really threatening.
Heat three of the Canola Cup (2100m) was taken out by the Mark Butler trained and reined gelding Attack And Destroy ($8.00).
Butler sat the four year old back in the field and flew home, swamping the leaders to take the prize by two and a half metres.
Thankyouruth (Michael Day, $3.00) was quick out of the gate and lead everywhere but the post.
Winston James (Dave Harris, $2.70) who wound up third was involved in a speed battle early with Thankyouruth which took a lot out of both placegetters making them sitting ducks for that last shot.
Heat four was taken out by series favourite Aldebaran (Neil Day, $1.10).
The four year old was best out of the gate, finding the front with ease.
Day rated the mare well and she appeared to have something in reserve, winning comfortably by seven metres.
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Run Foxy Run (Nathan Hoy, $5.00) found herself three back along the pegs and ran home stoutly when clear to take second placing ahead of Taverngee Derby (Andrew Baxter, $6.00) which had things cozy behind the leader and only battled to fill the minor placing.
Jason Turnbull completed a winning double with Sergeant Merrywood ($2.00 in heat five of the Canola Cup (2100m).
The four year old entire made up plenty of ground from the 400 metre mark, sprinting stoutly to pick up the leaders and win, running away by six and a half metres.
What Say You (Peter Crook, $4.00) was unlucky as he found trouble early before settling down midfield and running on well for second.
High Priority (Ken Wade, $51.00) worked hard outside the leader throughout and stuck on well for third.
One of the most celebrated wins of the day came in the sixth and final heat of the Canola Cup when Forbes owned mare Thorns (Mark Hewitt, $4.60) overpowered her rivals to score by just under three metres.
Hewitt placed the five year old perfectly, one out and one back until leaving the back the last time and she done the rest.
Perfectly Painted (Scott Osmond, $1.30) was challenged for the lead out of the gate and had to use a fair bit of petrol to hold the front, which may have taken the edge off the short priced favourite.
The Dream Begins (Dave Harris, $8.00) sat three back on the pegs and chased home gamely to be a close third.
Next Monday's final is sure to be a keenly contested affair but will it be another Neil Day benefit?
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