“So, the win, although unexpected, was a big thrill and a belated present for Beata.”
Tzouvelis was not totally surprised with Simply Express’ win.
“Simply Express won his first five at this track and I thought, ‘Wow, we have another one that is going really well’,” Tzouvelis said.
“Then he lost his way a little bit and just wasn't going to the next level like we thought he would.
“Then he had a surgery, a testicle removed, about two months ago. After the surgery, it has been the making of him. He has just gone better and better each week.
“That was clearly his best time. Hopefully he is ready to go back to some circle racing and we will see what his limit is there.”
NSW Northern Rivers trainer Stephen Keep took out the Cup Consolation with One More Beer, a one and a quarter length winner over Red Ranger (Greg Stella) and Rushforth Ally (Des Winters) in 19.48 seconds
It was a consolation in more ways than one with Keep missing his place in the Cup Final when his All Lies Ahead was a mid-week scratching after a training injury.
In the other feature on the day, Hook Me (Casey Dargusch) won the Bob Vernon Memorial Maiden Final.
Second place went to Judith Gordon’s Salvatore and third was Haggler (Michael Lalicz).