BRIGHTON trainer Brendan Pursell had one of his best nights at the office in Hobart last night.
Pursell took three to the races and emerged with a treble.
His trio of wins included the winner of each of the two heats of the HGRC Middle Distance Championship over 599 metres and Kula Girl scored an impressive win in a grade four over 461 metres..
His smart staying bitch Cheetah Zorro kicked things off with a powerful display to win her Middle Distance Championship heat,
She began well from box one and trailed the leader Distorted to the home straight where she burst clear and had no trouble holding her rivals at bay to score by 2-1/2 lengths from Camdale Buddy that came from beyond midfield turning for home with Buckle Up Kade running on for third but over five lengths astern.
Cheetah Zorro stopped the clock at 34.60 seconds which was a personal best for the daughter of Bombastic Shiraz-Fallen Zorro.
While Cheetah Zorro was impressive, so too was her kennel mate Happy Tiger that toyed with his rivals to win his heat.
Happy Tiger also drew box one and he began well but not as quickly as Ruby Way that held a two-length break over Happy Tiger nearing the top turn.
But Happy Tiger closed the gap rounding the home turn as did the Ted Medhurst-trained Tadmore Dunoon that was coming off a brilliant win in Launceston three nights earlier.
Happy Tiger swept past Ruby May but for a fleeting moment it looked like Tadmore Dunoon would do the same to Happy Tiger.
However, Pursell’s promising stayer answered the challenge and if anything increased his margin over the final 50 metres to go on and defeat Tadmore Dunoon by 1-1/4 lengths with Canadian Bay three lengths away third.
Pursell was impressed with both wins.
“I thought both were drawn to win and that was how it panned out,” Pursell said.
“Cheetah Zorro was strong when it counted but I’m fairly sure now that she is better suited over the 600-metre trip because the 700-metres and beyond finds her out,” he said.
Happy Tiger has been strong over 720 metres in Launceston and while he was coming off a fourth over that trip in the LGRC Distance Championship three nights earlier, he was very impressive in winning his MDC heat.
“Happy Tiger is a serious stayer that does his best when he can find the rail early so he was drawn to win this race.”
“He was very strong at the end and it takes a decent stayer to hold out Tadmore Dunoon when he’s that close turning foe home.”
Happy Tiger has drawn box eight in the final so is at a big disadvantage unless he can fly the lids and lead while Cheetah Zorro has drawn box five and has the early speed to cross and find the lead.
“The box draw hasn’t been kind to Happy Tiger but Cheetah Zorro isn’t too badly boxed but at the end of the day it’s great to have two chances in a final,” he said.
Pursell will aim both of his finalists at the state heats of the National Distance Championship in Launceston in August.
Kula Girl also was impressive scoring by three lengths in an all-the-way performance that put her into top grade at all tracks.
“Kula Girl has been tremendous for her owner. She is now going to be facing up to invitation class from here on in but she’s up to it,” Pursell said