Always Be Batman produces Cup Day heroics to win $60,000 Junior Free-For-All

Always Be Batman (Always Be Miki) overcame a frustrating passage and a rapidly tiring horse in front of him to produce a brilliant finishing burst and win the $60,000 Group 2 Tyre General Junior Free-For-All at Addington on New Zealand Trotting Cup Day (November 10).

Driven by John Dunn for harness racing trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn, Always Be Batman showed both early speed and a devastating late sprint to capture the 2600-metre feature.

The talented pacer was involved in the early speed battle before securing a trail, but was subsequently shuffled back to three deep on the markers.

With trail horse Rubira beginning to tire from the 400-metre mark, Dunn found himself trapped behind a wall of horses while the leaders were getting away.

The situation looked increasingly desperate approaching the home turn, with Always Be Batman travelling strongly but unable to improve.

Rather than forcing his way into the clear, Dunn elected to remain on the markers and wait for the passing lane.

It proved a winning decision.

Once the opening appeared, Always Be Batman accelerated sharply along the inside to grab victory from Iron Brigade, with Dreams Are Free finishing third.

Speaking with Trackside NZ’s Brittany Graham after the race, Dunn admitted he had been forced to show more patience than usual.

“Yeah, for once in my life I actually finally waited for it,” Dunn said.

“Normally I would have come out … but I sort of waited.

“They were coming back on me, but this guy is better if you can come up the inside.”

Dunn was particularly impressed with the winner’s ability to accelerate after losing momentum at a crucial stage.

“It was a great turn of foot he showed, so he deserves it.”

Always Be Batman had also been required to work hard in the early stages to hold his position so to be able to sprint at the end of the race was a tribute to the horses ability. .

“He came off the gate hard enough, and I also had to click him up to keep the trail.

“So he was on that early speed too. Good effort by the horse.”

Dunn believes the pacer’s continued improvement has been a product of careful management during his younger racing days.

“He’s definitely matured with age,” Dunn said.

“He’s just gone from strength to strength. He’s got stronger.”

Always Be Batman’s success continued an impressive run of form for the pacer, who had arrived at Addington following consecutive victories.

Iron Brigade, driven by Tim Williams for trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer, finished second, while Dreams Are Free was third for driver-trainer Nathan Williamson.

ALWAYS BE BATMAN REPLAY

Smoke On The Water, driven by Ricky May, completed the first four.

Always Be Batman returned $3.90 on the tote and $3.50 at fixed odds.

The victory also gave Dunn an opportunity to assess the Addington surface following the wet conditions that had affected Cup Day preparations.

Despite the muddy appearance of the track, he was full of praise for the racing surface.

“Credit to the club, the track’s actually really good,” Dunn said.

“It’s just got a wee bit of that surface water and a wee bit of muck over our face.”

With the $400,000 Dominion Trot and $800,000 New Zealand Trotting Cup still to come, Dunn predicted that fitness would play a major role in determining the feature winners.

“The track’s going to play fair, but definitely it’s going to come down to the fittest.”

For Always Be Batman, however, the combination of patience, determination and a sharp turn of foot had already delivered one of the memorable performances of Cup Day.

 

For complete race results, click here.

From Harnesslink Media