Smoken vs Sushi, Ballarat Cup

[broncobrad]

Totally fixated on the two leaders and loved every moment of the race except that last bit - that bit wasn't in the script. When Sushi sailed away on the bend SU did look like he had had enough but he really stuck on. Harness racing really does have a horse it can hang its hat on, he is the real deal. I won't remember this race for Highview Tommy winning (super effort, stunning finish), but for the night that Sushi Sushi announced himself on the harness racing stage as the next contender. Looking forward to the next few years. Check the size of the crowd these horses dragged out. Positives of this type make for much better headlines instead of those other 'positives.'

[Toohard]

Post #15 (Mitch) got it right (almost)...just had wrong Kiwi storming home at the end!

Smoken Up and Sushi Sushi both awesome efforts.

Reckon Smoken Up doesn't get round that last bend at Ballarat at high speed (same last year too) but he kept giving it everything up the straight. Sat outside Sushi Sushi in a 1.55.8 last mile got beat 4m's and was making ground on him again up the straight.

Sushi was absolutely super! G.Sugars didn't panic when caught wide early. Just let him find the front without over taxing him too much and tried to win it at the exact right time. Got beat a pimple so couldn't have judged it much better than that.

Mark Purdons timing was perfect. As it was in the 2 races he won earlier (well 1 1/2 races anyway).

The big crowd roared when Sushi skipped away but could have heard a pin drop after race...."Flatter than a sh*t carters hat" it was.

Nathan: Was telling son the story of 'Dandy Andy' on the way home. Remarkable similarities hey!!

Great race highlighted by great horses and great drivers.

And well done to Ballarat too. They always put on a great night.

[Messenger]

There is no doubting how gutsy Smoken is but has he been known to swish his tail like that - being an old warrior is there a poss that he might feel the flat bend more so than banked? Sushi was outstanding but I cannot see him being a Smoken - may be too smart ie He will not let them lay the persuader on him. And outstanding also has to be the winner coming around that bend 5w and home in about 27

[Starship Captain]

Re:- Live racing on the web.
Just to clear up my prior complaint, the advertising banner, the quality of the live footage was all spectacular, congratulations to whom ever put that together for the internet.

[montana]

Great race , i must admit Sushi surprised me at his first run this level , 3 wide , ran along with Smoken up on his outside it was a shame he got beat. Congrats to the connections of Highview Tommy though he has been a grand campaigner.

[Harold Parker]

Was that Nat Russ who greeted Purdon after the race, sure looked like it ?

She was giddy ... traitor !!

[peteboss4]

Was that Nat Russ who greeted Purdon after the race, sure looked like it ?

She was giddy ... traitor !!

She's been with Purdon for quite some time.

[Itisi]

Post #15 (Mitch) got it right (almost)...just had wrong Kiwi storming home at the end!

Smoken Up and Sushi Sushi both awesome efforts.

Reckon Smoken Up doesn't get round that last bend at Ballarat at high speed (same last year too) but he kept giving it everything up the straight. Sat outside Sushi Sushi in a 1.55.8 last mile got beat 4m's and was making ground on him again up the straight.

Sushi was absolutely super! G.Sugars didn't panic when caught wide early. Just let him find the front without over taxing him too much and tried to win it at the exact right time. Got beat a pimple so couldn't have judged it much better than that.

Mark Purdons timing was perfect. As it was in the 2 races he won earlier (well 1 1/2 races anyway).

The big crowd roared when Sushi skipped away but could have heard a pin drop after race...."Flatter than a sh*t carters hat" it was.

Nathan: Was telling son the story of 'Dandy Andy' on the way home. Remarkable similarities hey!!

Great race highlighted by great horses and great drivers.

And well done to Ballarat too. They always put on a great night.

Agree with all you said here except the part about G. Sugars I say he got cocky and went to early at the top of the straight, when he only had to hang on for another few metres and he wins. Only my opinion though.

[Harold Parker]

She's been with Purdon for quite some time.

I had no idea. I was MIA for a few years abroad and missed that.

[Old Frank]

Agree with all you said here except the part about G. Sugars I say he got cocky and went to early at the top of the straight, when he only had to hang on for another few metres and he wins. Only my opinion though.

Yes and no and to be frank, easy to say in hindsight.

I think it was a case of Sushi was humming and Smoken Up was dropping off. I think Sugar's just gone, well it's best of both worlds here so let's run.

It's just a shame he got beat, he's run super.