Fighter Command roars back into Victoria Cup contention

Highly rated Fighter Command (Always B Miki) enhanced his Victoria Cup prospects with a narrow but most impressive harness racing win in the Benstud Standardbreds Free For All at Melton on Saturday evening.

Awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second row, Fighter Command was still solidly supported to end up favourite. Driver Jason Lee eased back early and he was content to sit back with only a few behind him.

The fancied Meteor Moth didn’t have the early speed to hold out Bluto but he couldn’t withstand the charge by the well supported Forty Love who freewheeled to the lead.

My Ultimate Barney and then Ubetcha Tigerpie made their respective runs to eventually face the breeze which shuffled back Meteor Moth who was able to come off the fence.

Forty Love was still travelling strongly off the back straight and appeared to have most of his rivals off the bit. Fighter Command was starting to wind up out wide but even at the top of the straight it appeared that Forty Love had stolen a march on his rivals.

FIGHTER COMMAND 26 SEP REPLAY

However showing real class Fighter Command sprouted wings in the final 50 metres and in a withering burst snatched victory from Forty Love who had the race won all bar the finishing line. Ubetcha Tigerpie held on well for third after a tough run ahead of Meteor Moth.

A relieved Jason Lee stated after the win.

There was a bit of speed early, but then it come out of it, and we were going to be wide for a long way on the turn if we went early. Just thankfully he was pretty good to get us out of a tough spot when the trail never really got us into it.

Lee added that finding a spot in the running line helped Fighter Command.

And I know, years and years ago, speed maps were probably never such a thing, and that’s what we love about racing it’s unpredictable. And things can get turned on their heads and that’s what makes it great. And for me, it probably worked out well in the end not to be on the fence.

Fighter Command looks to be one of Victoria’s main prospects in the Group 1 $250,000 Victoria Cup to be run at Melton on 17 October.

He’s been patiently prepared by trainer Jess Tubbs who has always a big opinion of the five year old gelding.

 

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese for Harnesslink