A flawless display from Off The Chart has delivered the rising star the first major victory of his career, taking out tonight’s Sportsbet Ballarat Cup.
He flew out from box 5 and immediately put himself in the box seat. He had a good duel with the speedy Sharapova Star, however the mid-race weaponry of Off The Chart was too much to overcome.
Sharapova Star and Barooga Jim both made up ground late, but it wasn’t enough to reel in the brindle coloured rocket that is Off The Chart. His winning time of 24.81 is flying – just over two lengths shy of the track record (24.66) held by Hotel Whisky One.
“He’s only got one speed, and that’s fast. The sections were brilliant and he made us all very proud,” said Peter Presutto, trainer of Off The Chart.
The win continues a stellar run for the Presutto family and the father‑and‑son ownership team of Mick and Darren Puleio. The families have enjoyed a stack of success in recent months, also sharing the achievements of superstar stayer and multiple Group 1 winner Without A Trace.
“As a family we put in a lot of hard work at home. To give them (owners) the rewards and satisfaction is great as they put a lot of trust in us. It makes me very proud.”
It has always felt like a matter of time before Off The Chart claimed this type of race. His progression through the juvenile grades was swift and given his current flaw of not yet being able to run out a strong ‘500’ metres at the metropolitan tracks, these country cups were going to be right up his alley.
He proved his readiness last month when runner‑up to Dramatical in the Sportsbet Warragul Cup – form that was franked in powerful fashion when Dramatical captured the Sportsbet Australian Cup at The Meadows last week. Tonight, Off The Chart went one better on the provincial stage.
He will now be aimed at the Sportsbet Shepparton Cup – heats will be run on Monday March 16 with the final on Saturday March 21. Off The Chart will again be a force to be reckoned with.
