Back to back Italian Cups for Cold Major

Harness racing six-year-old Cold Major made it back-to-back Del-Re National Food Group Italian Cup wins at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night.

After defeating Keayang Cullen in the 2240m feature race a year ago, the David Aiken-trained gelding produced a powerful late burst this time to score by 1.6 metres in a mile rate of 1:56.2.

Aiken’s son Josh drove Cold Major to victory, his 10th win aboard the son of Art Major/Vangold.

In-the-run players wanted to be on Metro Mike early when Jason Lee took the in-form Emma Stewart-trained pacer to the lead, thus snookering race favourite Glenferrie Hood on the markers.

Metro Mike’s backers would have been pleased with 800m to go after he covered the first half of his last mile in a comfortable enough 60.6secs.

Michael Stanley had his talented four-year-old Young Modern in the breeze at this point, and together he and Metro Mike upped the tempo along the back straight for a third quarter of 28.1secs.

Metro Mike eventually got the better of Young Modern in the home straight, but Cold Major and Five Star Anvil (Chris Alford) were the fresh horses to arrive when the leader finally started to feel the pinch inside the final 50m.

Cold Major finished best, reeling in Metro Mike in the shadows of the post, while Five Star Anvil charged into second place out wider.

The result KO’d most quaddie players at the first hurdle, the opening leg winner paying $36.20 on the tote.

Glenferrie Hood ($1.90fav) never got into the action and finished seventh.

Video – relive Cold Major's Del-Re National Food Group Italian Cup success

by Cody Winnell