A six-year-old mare from Pukekohe, Millview Sarah, went one place better in the $8000 Schnapps Bar, National Park Wanganui Cup yesterday afternoon.
Millview Sarah was runner-up in last year's cup race at the Wanganui Racecourse, but this year powered home for driver Jay Abernethy and trainer Adrienne Matthews in the2600m Race 8, with a photo finish for second between Foxton's Mister Dann and Waterlea Raceway's Stormy Breeze.
The mare had been fortunate to earn a restart in the race, with the officials agreeing she was sideways.
Spreading three wide at the final turn, it was Millview Sarah who had the wood on her rivals, a delight for owner Matt Stormont and supporters.
Foxton's Jonny Wilkinson had to settle for fourth while race favourite Mister Harris, driven by recent 2000 wins club member David Butcher, did not feature.
The running of the cup capped another fine day for the Wanganui Trotting Club, though blighted by a tragic accident in Race 2. Four-year-old Cambridge mare Violle broke her leg in a fall and had to be euthanised a sad day for driver and trainer Arna Donnelly. Racing, p24
