New Zealand-bred five-year-old Rakasinc, somewhat disappointing when unplaced at his two previous outings, bounced back to his best form with a stylish victory in the 2130m Cowden The Insurance Brokers Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The well-supported $3.70 equal favourite with Shanway, Rakasinc was produced in top shape by trainer Nathan Turvey and was given a perfect trip by Emily Suvaljko in the one-out, one-back position before being switched three wide 650m from home and then surging to the front 250m later on his way to a most impressive victory by two and a half lengths from last-start winner Rabchenko ($4.80).
Rabchenko, driven by Chris Voak, also enjoyed an ideal passage behind the pacemaker Rebel With A Grin, and he fought on determinedly in an up-tempo event that had a smart lead time of 35.5sec. followed by quarters of 29sec., 29.3sec., 29sec. and 28.9sec.
Rakasinc, who is part-owned by GPHR vice-president Kevin Jeavons, rated a slick 1.54.6. The Changeover gelding now has raced 60 times for 14 wins, 16 placings and $112,551 in prizemoney.
by Ken Casellas