Dukes Choice lands some big bets

Former Tasmanian pacer Dukes Choice (Vincent) landed some big bets when he took out the Logical Staffing Solutions Pace at Melton. 

Backed in from $9.80 to start $4.60, Dukes Choice enjoyed the run of the race behind the leader from his inside alley and harness racing driver James Herbertson was able to make full use of the sprint lane in the home straight. 

On the line Dukes Choice scored running away by two metres from the $3.10 favorite First Dance and Jaccka Connor. 

The Samantha Gangell-prepared Dukes Choice has held off a fast finishing field to win the Logical Staffing Solutions Pace for driver James Herbertson. pic.twitter.com/3hTgqMOtwR

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) June 29, 2024

All drivers wore black armbands in respect for the passing of popular well known horseman Keith Douglas. 

Herbertson said the Samantha Gangell trained four-year-old was able to finish off the race strongly despite being asked for an early effort. 

“He was still involved to a point in the 27.5 first quarter burn but to his credit he was still able to zip up the lane,” Herbertson said. 

Herbertson said the pacer’s form was better than it appeared. 

“He’s been a victim of circumstances in his last couple of starts and he hasn’t been going that bad,” he said. 

“He was out the back at Cranbourne on a fence favored night and he got home in 26.8 in a slowly run race here last week, so numbers wise he was pretty sharp here last start.” 

Herbertson believes Dukes Choice will measure up in better races. 

“There’s not much of him and to Sam’s credit he has a pretty nice little motor for his size,” he said. 

“He’s run some good races down here against a nice crop of three-year-olds and he’s got a little bit of X factor there.” 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink