Resurgent Spirit delivers in Metro Cup

Talented open class pacer Resurgent Spirit delivered arguably his best effort of the season when he powered his way to victory in the $10,000 Metropolitan Cup over 2579 metres at UBET Park Hobart on Sunday night.

Resurgent Spirit was coming off a game second to Riverboat jasper in the $40,000 Harness Racing's Group 3 Easter Cup two weeks earlier but despite such outstanding form he was sent around at the lucrative price of $3.80 in a more suitable mobile event.

Vande Velde showed good early speed to lead from the pole position but when driver James Austin sent Resurgent Spirit around the field to have a look for the lead Vande Velde's trainer-driver Christian Salter obliged to take the trail.

The well-backed favourite Pachacuti ($2.50) settled near the rear in the one-out line from his wide second-row draw but when he was called on to improve in the back straight the last time he failed to improve.

But when Austin released the reins nearing the home turn the Roger Whitmore-trained five-year-old gelding sped clear and had no trouble fending off his rivals in the home straight.

Resurgent Spirit went on to score by over seven metres from Mister Lennox that ran on gamely after enjoying the one-out-one-back sit with Crusader Acey a close-up third.

Melolyn ran on well but could have finished closer had he not been shut away three and four-back the fence for most of the race.

It was Resurgent Spirit's fifth win from 12 starts this season with his only blemish coming in the Hobart Pacing Cup in January when ninth in a field of 12 but other than that he has won or been placed in 10 of his other 11 starts and finished no further back that fourth.

The American Ideal gelding has amassed career prizemoney of $164,106 from his 41 starts courtesy of 23 wins and 10 minor placings.

Peter Staples