RocknRoll Lincoln nabs cup win

Justin Prentice’s Kiwi runner RocknRoll Lincoln claimed line honours in Saturday night’s $50,000 Speedibeet Bunbury Cup MS Pace (2569m) at Donaldson Park.

Entering the race in scintillating fashion with only one non-placing in his previous 10 starts, the five-year-old delivered again, with Gary Hall Jun. confidently guiding him to victory.

Finishing a close second was fellow Kiwi compatriot Vampiro, with Brian Clemens’ six-year-old I’m Soxy running doggedly into third.

It was also a fruitful evening for a third New Zealand runner, Extradite, with the $1.30 pre-tote favourite recording a comfortable victory over DelightfulReaction in the South Western Times MS Pace (2100m).

Both runners separated themselves from the chasing pack in the closing stages, although trainer-driver Kim Prentice had little difficulty in crossing the winning post.

Earlier in the evening, the currency of quality finishes at the Donaldson Park track this season was banked by three-year-old runner Bitcoin, with the Bond stable gelding narrowly holding off The Kraken in a frenzied final 100m of the Tabtouch 3YO MS Pace (1609m).

Despite the plucky three-year-old being a raging pre-race favourite having entered with two consecutive victories, driver Ryan Warwick faced a tough shift in the spyder, although he managed to once again produce the goods.

Another runner who continues to impress is talented mare Innocent Affair who made it back-to-back wins in the Bunbury Harvey Regional Council Westbred Fillies and Mares MS Pace (2100m) although she received a fright from Steve Burton’s five-year-old Phar From Kalahari.

Proceedings were far more clear-cut in the Sunwise Westbred Colts, Entries and Geldings MS Pace (2100m), with Ryan Warwick cantering away aboard ThisBeachRightHere, finishing 12m clear of Highly Flammable.

Bunbury Trotting Club general manager Julie Caldwell was pleased with the meeting, with several races televised nationally on Sky Racing 1 creating additional exposure for the club.

Caldwell hoped the big crowd trackside enjoyed themselves and encouraged them to attend this Friday night’s meeting.