HILI TRAINS QUINELLA IN NELSON CUP
Fast Minardi and Nitro Harvey established a memorable quinella for Loira breeder-trainer Paul Hili and their connections in Monday night’s $5,865 Division 1 J.G Nelson Cup Final over the 515-metre trip in Launceston.
The $3,975-to-the-winner event saw a great field face the starter, with Paul Hili’s Fernando Bale x Cheeky Vixen litter siblings dominating the betting market as the top fancies ahead of the feature final.
Both runners began best at the start with Nitro Harvey taking the lead passing the post with a lap to run.
However, it was Fast Minardi who proved too strong for the kennelmate taking the lead coming off the back straight, eventually going away to score by almost four lengths in 29.37s despite heavy conditions.
Harden Up Johnny filled the minor placing for trainer Josh Wright producing a great effort coming off box 8.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the result, it was such a great effort by both dogs,” Paul Hili stated about the win.
“We always thought that Fast Minardi would progress to a top-grade chaser in the state, he just shows great ability; better the quality the more he seems to like the challenge of beating them and is flying at present.”
Fast Minardi notched up his 15th victory with $103,140 in prize money for his proud owner Ross Freeman.
Over 19 starts on the Launceston track, the light brindle chaser has won 12 races with the Division 1 J.G. Nelson Cup Final success now joining his Gold Collar, Illingworth Classic and Tasmanian Derby efforts.
“Fast Minardi is one of the dogs that can find a way to win especially from bad box draws. It’s such a great achievement to win a feature with any dog, winning a Nelson Cup is a nice result,” the trainer explained.
Connections have elected to step Fast Minardi up over more distance in readiness for the up-and-coming LGRC Distance Championship, by contesting a 720m FFA race in Launceston next Monday night.
Due to a lack of nominations to conduct heats, the event will be held as final only race on Monday 24 July, with the Office of Racing Integrity requesting to all trainers that they must renominate to take part in the race.