Hillview Bondi proves too strong on final lap to claim spoils in Albany Cup at Harold Reid Paceway

Veteran pacer Hillview Bondi claimed an impressive win in the $20,000 Wellington & Reeves Albany Cup (2690m) on January 18 at Harold Reid Paceway.

The feature race attracted a field of nine runners and the Ryan Bell-trained Hillview Bondi started from the second row and was three-wide early before driver Liam Elliott went forward.

Hillview Bondi ($2.60) was outside the leader on the bell lap and then proved too strong in the final circuit, to win cup honours by 2.5 metres on the line.

Highly fancied $1.95 favourite Illawong Mustang led for much of the race for trainer Michael Young and driver Emily Suvaljko but had to settle for second place while the Hayden Reeves prepared Thomson Bay finished well to grab third place.

The result was a 19th career win for Hillview Bondi and it was a 90th start for the evergreen seven-year-old.

Elliott finished with a winning double on the seven-race card after earlier saluting aboard Capture The Moment in the W&R Residential Sales Pace (2265m).

Capture The Moment jumped a $16 chance and sprinted hard in the concluding stages to win by 4.7m for trainer Bianca Ashcroft.

Suvaljko finished with three winners to her name on cup night, the first being raging $1.30 favourite Welease Woddewick for the Young stable.

Welease Woddewick was a dominant 11.3m winner in the opening race and Suvaljko then drove $2 favourite Machlani to victory in race four over 2265m again for Young.

In the W&R Rural Sales Pace (2265m), Suvaljko was too strong in the seat on Marledie for trainer Lang Inwood, as they saluted by 2.2m over Shoal Bay.

Trainer Terry Dymock won the W&R Commercial Management Pace (2265m) with Kolisi who was expertly driven by Corey Peterson to narrowly beat Let’s Rock Tonight.

Reeves and driver Trent Wheeler combined to win the last race on the program with Sun and Sand ($6.50).

Albany Harness Racing Club’s next meeting is on Friday, January 31 and it will be highlighted by the $11,000 O’Driscoll Chaff Westbred F&M Mile (1832m).