A huge crowd packed into Greenwald Raceway for the 2021 Matthews Petroleum Pacing Gold Cup and it did not disappoint.
No less than seven races entertained the spectators on Saturday night, but the main event was the Gold Cup and nothing could stop clear NZ favourite Highway To Heaven.
The horse driven by Jason Lee was at short odds to take home the $12,000 prize and even a false start did not deter the formidable combination.
Highway To Heaven controlled every lap of the 2590m event and held off the charging pack by more than four lengths.
The New Zealand bred Bay Gelding has been in remarkable form this season with Saturday night the latest chapter of a remarkable run of form.
Highway To Heaven has won its last four consecutive race meetings with the golden period only starting at the beginning of February.
It was a maiden Gold Cup for trainer Margaret Lee, while Jason Lee now has two victories at the showpiece event for the Mount Gambier Harness Racing Club.
The driver also steered Kimani to the second of back-to-back wins in 2018.
It was a much closer battle for the minor placings with Jilliby Dyson edging out another Kiwi horse Kenya.
Waitpinga Lad and Be The One rounded out the top five, while Too The Max was the only scratched
competitor.
Proceedings kicked off with the Stuckley Electrical Pace and Creative Lad just edged out Girls In Charge before Exalted Figure won the Baxter Hire Pace.
The favourite for the 2021 Mount Gambier Canny Ever Trotters Cup was upstaged on the run to the finish
line.
Ymbro Wasted was tipped to take home the trophy, but Glorious Finale lived up to its name and stole the $8000 prize.
David Drury drove New Zealand based horse Hughie Junior to victory in the Mount Gambier Bendigo Bank Gold Cup Consolation followed by Too The Max and Overpowering.
The Mountain View Stud Pacing Derby went to Royal Speech, while the final event of the night was the City Of Mount Gambier Pace which was won by Smart Play.
The win was also local Zac Pearson’s first as a trainer.
The future stars of the sport also displayed their skills in the pony trots.
Angus Hinch overcame stiff competition to take home the pony trots Gold Cup, while the youngsters also raised money for ovarian cancer.
