“I’m confident he can win this as long as he steps.” Driver Gary Whitaker said in a pre-race interview.
And he stepped.
Tough gelding Constantlysideways led throughout to claim the Gr.3 $30,540 Moreton Bay Regional Council Redcliffe Gold Cup leading all the way defeating Alleluia and Stirling William last night (Friday).
The 2613m stand start feature attracted a quality line-up but Constantlysideways was never in any danger following his brilliant beginning, with Stirling William initially leading before handing over to the eventual winner, the race was effectively over.
Prepared by Bill Crosby, the Village Jasper gelding rated 2:01.5.
It was his first feature victory and it was thoroughly deserved, Constantlysideways has now won 22 races from 87 starts while his career earnings edge closer to $200,000.
And it was the first Redcliffe Gold Cup victory for the successful combination of Crosby and Whitaker.
Over the last decade, the duo have combined with many talented juvenile pacers and won several feature QBRED features.
The Redcliffe Gold Cup triumph is the latest feature for Whitaker this season after scoring in the $20,630 Jim McNeil Memorial Trotting Championship Final at Albion Park back in March.
Whitaker is currently 4th in the state driver’s premiership with 78 winners to date.
New Zealand filly Sociable also gave a polished front-running display to take out the $20,450 Redcliffe Oaks defeating Fame Assured and Aqua Miss in the 2040m feature.
Prepared by Rangiora based horseman Andrew Stuart, the Buy Kiwi Made filly was sent straight to the lead by ace Victorian reinsman John Caldow and defied running down.
Sociable rated 1:59.5 while covering her final half in 56.9 seconds.
The $75,540 Queensland Oaks at Albion Park on July 14 is the main target for the talented filly.
In the $10,540 Stevie Redback Pest Control Redcliffe Trotters Cup, former Victorian Jeter finished best along the passing lane to beat Ivanov and Master Hugh.
Prepared by Brett Cargill and driven by his longtime friend Darrel Graham, the Great Success gelding was buried along the markers but sprinted strongly to run down his rivals.
Named after New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter, the talented performer rated 2:05.6.
It was the inaugural running of the 2613m stand start event.
The remaining feature at Redcliffe during the 2018 Racing Queensland winter carnival will take place on July 27, the Listed $25,540 Chris Garrard’s Patrons Purse.