Sport
8 March, 2026
Cup thunder, tension and an afternoon of rain
THE weather gods were not kind to Boort, oldest continuous racing club, which staged its annual Pacing and Trotting Cups on Sunday.
Persistent rain fell for much of the afternoon, but the crowd was rewarded with three hard-fought features, including the $12,000 Railway Hotel Boort Central Victorian Trotting Championship.
The $12,000 Neile Beattie & Family Boort Pacing Cup (2612m) went to the Terang-trained ex-New Zealander Dhaulagiri, the 9-year-old American Ideal–Chloe Finn gelding scoring his 21st career victory at start 138 (31 placings).
Driven by regular reinsman Lochie Cook for part-owner/trainer Matty Horsnell, Dhaulagiri settled at the tail from the extreme draw as favourite Hoorah Philtra galloped away and Crime Writer was checked in the early shuffle.
Merrywood Paul crossed from gate two to lead, leaving Auckland Red posted outside the speed.
Aaron Dunn made the first move with Neatntidy after a lap, shifting away from three pegs to the breeze before gaining cover when Dhaulagiri swept forward sharply two laps out. Travelling powerfully in the wet,
Dhaulagiri took over before the home turn and dashed clear, scoring by 9.1 metres from Shadow Celt, which ran on strongly from one-two. Neatntidy held third a further 2.6 metres back, a nose ahead of Merrywood Paul.
Mile rate: 2:02.9.
Since being claimed from a Melton race in October, Dhaulagiri has more than repaid his purchase price with multiple cup successes.
Just five runners — with four of them from the stable of Brent Lilley — contested the $12,000 Hon. Peter Walsh MP Boort Trotting Cup (2612m).
But the race produced an outstanding performance from The Dark Thunder, the 4-year-old Sky Valley–Arannalea gelding part-owned and trained at Bagshot by Mary Jane Mifsud in partnership with the Walters family.
Both The Dark Thunder and Maestro galloped badly as the tapes released, giving the eventual winner a huge start, while multiple cups victor El Conqueror led from barrier four.
Approaching the bell, The Dark Thunder had made a long, sustained run to join El Conqueror, with Maestro also recovering to trail the pair.
Taking control on the final bend, The Dark Thunder was challenged strongly by Maestro but responded courageously to win by 1.6 metres, with El Conqueror weakening for third 16.2 metres away.
Mile rate: 2:09.3.
The $10,000 Railway Hotel Boort Central Victorian Trotters Championship (2250m) produced a popular result, with St Arnaud’s Scott Torney — part-owner, trainer and driver — guiding veteran mare Tension Seeker to victory at her remarkable 171st start (12 wins, 27 placings).
The 13-year-old Tennotrump–Classic Lilly mare began fast, as is her trademark, spearing straight to the lead from the pole.
She controlled the race throughout and never looked threatened, racing to the line 12.4 metres clear of Louiville Lass (10m), with Miss Avenger running on late for third 16.8 metres back.
Mile rate: 2:07.4.
- LEN BAKER