Dartaway is becoming something of a cups specialist.
The Canterbury pacer capitalised on an economical trip to win the $20,000 Invercargill Cup at Ascot Park on Saturday.
Four of Dartaway's eight wins have been in cup races, the Holmes Hanover gelding also scoring in the Ashburton, Rangiora and Akaroa Cups.
His Woodend trainer-driver David Butt has only had one other drive in the Invercargill Cup, for a second with Rolls Hanover in 1986.
Dartaway yesterday raced three back on the outer mostly, while his main rival, Coringa It'll Be Mee, driven by Ricky May, tried to lead for the final 2200m.
"I thought I better get going at the 450m because I didn't want Ricky to get away," Butt said.
Dartaway outfinished Coringa It'll Be Mee by 1-1/4 lengths, with 4-1/4 lengths to Decision Time third.
Two wins away from open class, Dartaway will be aimed at the $100,000 Easter Cup at Addington on April 6.
Butt trains Dartaway for Donna Casserly, of Greymouth, her brother-in-law Peter Casserly and his wife Gloria, of Omarama, and Jean Garforth, of Greymouth.
Dartaway's dam, Donnajean, raced for Donna Casserly and Garforth and won three races from Butt's stable. Donnajean died in a paddock accident two years ago. Her second foal, Tin Soldier, attained a mile time of 1:52.2 in the United States.
Coringa It'll Be Mee hindered his chances by rearing at the start and losing 15m.
"The other horse had a good run and was too strong," driver Ricky May said.
Earlier in the meeting Sparks A Flyin, nearly sacked four months ago, cemented her place among the country's top three-year-old fillies.
She posted her sixth win in seven starts in the second heat of the Nevele R Stud Fillies' Series.
Sparks A Flyin and Shania Patron fought out the finish, with Sparks A Flyin coming up trumps by half a length in 1:59.4 seconds for the mile.
Successful driver Mark Jones said his plan was to stay in front of Shania Patron throughout the event.
"She (Shania Patron) ranged up quickly at the 200m. We went head-for-head for 40 or 50 metres, but I knew in the last 100 that we had the better of her," Jones said.
Sparks A Flyin is raced by Harness Racing New Zealand chairman Jim Wakefield and his wife Susan. The filly is one of six horses owned by the couple in Cran Dalgety's West Melton stable.
London Pride, racing in Perth, and London Express, exported to the United States last month, were good winners for the trainer and owners.
Dalgety recalled two embarrassing moments with Sparks A Flyin.
Last winter he took Sparks A Flyin to her first qualifying trial at Rangiora. While walking around at the start she decided to stop.
"She wouldn't move - totally refused," Dalgety said.
"We had to take the gear off and cart to make her move."
Sparks A Flyin caused more grief before her second tote start at Rangiora in November.
"She lay down in the birdcage and decided to stay there."
The daughter of Sands A Flyin and Belle Glade eventually made it to the track and finished fourth.
Shania Patron dashed over the final 800m in 57 seconds on Saturday. She will contest a Southland Oaks heat at Wyndham on February 15.
Bonnie Lass, who cruised to victory in the Dimensions Hair Studio Pace, could start in the $25,000 Four-Year-Old Championship at Forbury Park on Friday night.
She will then head to Christchurch for two rich mares' races at Addington next month.
- NZPA
Racing: Cups king Dartaway has Easter glory as next big target
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