Racing: Roulston hits back at Bob's critics

Trainer Steve Roulston couldn't resist a dig at the Australian media after Bobs Blue Boy bounced back to winning form in the Geelong Cup.

The Canterbury pacer headed home a Kiwi trifecta by downing Foreal and Howard Bromac in the A$25,000 ($28,000) event, earning him some valuable respect heading into the A$2.1 million Interdominions in Tasmania which start on March 19.

But that wasn't the respect Roulston was talking about after the race, preferring to concentrate on the lack of it Bobs Blue Boy had received since coming to Australia.

Roulston said he hoped the win would force the Australian media to eat humble pie after they had written off Bobs Blue Boy following his three unplaced Australian runs before Saturday night's cup. He just didn't put it quite that politely.

It appears the media weren't the only people writing off Bobs Blue Boy though, as he paid $34 on the Victoria tote in what was his first win since October.

The rugged pacer was perfectly driven by young reinsman Greg Sugars, who sent him forward early to sit parked before securing the one-one behind Foreal.

Sugars then found an inside gap in the home straight to outfinish Foreal, with warm favourite Howard Bromac making good ground for third after being pushed back to near last.

The big disappointment of the race was former dual Miracle Mile winner Sokyola, who found the lead from the second line soon after the start but faded to second last.

He set up the slick 1:59 mile rate for the 2570m but will need to improve markedly in the next fortnight to have any chance of making the Interdominion final for the third year on end.

Even after the win Bobs Blue Boy was still rated a $51 chance for the Inters by Australian bookmakers, with Howard Bromac drifting to $10 and Foreal at $17.

The best supported of the Kiwis pacers heading to Tasmania is now the former United States pacer Cams Fool.

He shortened to $9 after another big winning trial in Victoria on Saturday, where he downed fellow US import Articulator and high-class pacer Safari.

Cams Fool came from last in the three horse trial to win by two and a half lengths, pacing his final 1600m in 1:56.7, the 800m in 56 and last 400 in a sizzling 26.7 seconds.

He is now trained by Tim Butt, whose brother and stable driver Anthony was greatly impressed by the performance.

"He is a lovely balanced horse and has real speed," said Anthony Butt.

"It is a big ask for him to come down here and win the series but I think he has the ability to be a threat if he has any luck."

* Mainland Banner is the $2.25 favourite for the Auckland Cup after winning her Alexandra Park debut on Friday night.

The glamour mare was shortened from her opening quote of $2.75 by TAB bookies, while second favourite Alta Serena also came in.

She opened at $4.50 last week but is now a $3.50 chance, coming in more because of the comprehensive defeats of rivals Imagine That and Napoleon in Friday night's final lead-up.

The barrier draw for the cup will be made at a Caduceus Club luncheon at Alexandra Park today, with betting to be suspended around that time.

The market for Friday's race .-

Auckland Trotting Cup, $300,000, 3200m: $2.25 Mainland Banner; $3.50 Alta Serena; $8 Mi Muchacho; $11 Baileys Dream; $15 Onedin Legacy, Napoleon, Imagine That; $16 Mr Bojangles; $20 Nursemaid; $25 Lord Vader, White Arrow; $30 Tribute; $40 Bella's Boy, Presido; $50 Jackson Brown; $60 That's Life Lavra, V For; $80 Jag Star; $150 Miss Abigail; $200 Royal Seal, Gone With The Wind, Let's Begin.