A courageous finish by the favourite Bach has earned the New Zealand pacer first prize in the $24,000 TAB Markovina Free-For-All feature at Melton.
Driver Anthony Butt settled the gelding midfield before sending him round the field with a mile to go.
Once in front, Butt and Bach controlled the pace, setting hot times for the final two quarters.
As the field straightened for the run home, the challenges came but Bach kept fighting to the line, winning by half a head from the fast finishing Triple Eight.
Main photo: Bach (left) charges towards the finish post.
The win was Bach’s 12th in his 34-start racing career, and has taken his all-time earnings to almost A$128,000.
On the Australian tote, Bach paid $1.90 for the win and $1.40 for the place. In New Zealand, Kyle Marshall Racing supporters earned $1.90 and $1.20 at the TAB.
Result
Race 5: Saturday April 13, 2024
$24,000 TAB Markovina Free-For-All Mobile Pace, 2240m
- Bach (Anthony Butt)
- Triple Eight
- Final Collect
Margins: Half head, head
Times: Mile Rate: 1-56.0 First quarter: 30.1. Second quarter: 29.7. Third quarter: 29.6. Fourth quarter: 27.
Photo finish
