Former top-flight sprinter Last Hurrah has found a ‘middle ground’. And in the process, he’s become a “Gr8 Eight king”.
Earlier this year, Last Hurrah contested one of the sport’s most prestigious sprint events – the Group 1 Australian Cup (525m) at The Meadows.
But since turning his paws to middle-distance racing, he’s been an absolute marvel!
Trained by young gun Brett Nye, 28, Last Hurrah won his third Gr8 Eight with a customary frontrunning display in a keenly contested affair over 595 metres at Sandown tonight. He’s previously won the special events at Sandown (595m) on June 4 and The Meadows (600m) on June 13.
Utilising Box 1 to perfection, Last Hurrah ($1.80F) defied all attempts to run him down, defeating the gallant Tough Tears ($22.10) by three-quarters of a length, with rank outsider Big Jo ($55.80) a further half-length away third in 34.23sec. Run Like Jess ($4.20) was only inches away fourth. (The Trifecta paid a handsome $247.40 and the First 4 a whopping $661.40!)
Amazingly, only one and a half lengths separated five of the six runners! It was Last Hurrah’s fourth successive win.
Owned by John Maple, Last Hurrah (Feb ’17 Where’s Pedro x Quick Succession) has won four of his past five starts over Sandown’s 595m trip.
It was also his seventh win in 10 starts from Box 1 and his fourth win from eight starts over 595m at Sandown.
Last Hurrah has won $31,500 alone, courtesy of his three Gr8 Eight wins.
Pawnote: Previous winners of the $15,000 Special Events spread across Victoria’s two metropolitan tracks and run over a variety of distances are: Mister Harlewood (Sandown, May 7 – 715m), Rockstar Beav (Sandown, May 14 – 595m), Simon Told Helen (Sandown, May 28 – 515m), Weblec Haze (The Meadows, May 30 – 600m), Last Hurrah (Sandown, June 4 – 595m), Simon Told Helen (The Meadows, June 6 – 525m), Blazing Cartier (Sandown 715m – June 11), Last Hurrah (The Meadows – June 13) and True Detective (The Meadows – June 20).
Further races on the Gr8 Eight calendar are:
Saturday, June 27 – The Meadows (525m)
