Hollywood Strip bounces back in Yirribee Wagga Cup

New South Wales’ leading three year old Hollywood Strip (Sweet Lou) made amends for his surprise harness racing defeat in last week’s Gold Chalice Final with a commanding win against older horses in the Yirribee Stud Wagga Pacers Cup at the Riverina Raceway on Saturday night.

Drawn the outside of the front row Hollywood Strip wasn’t the fastest away and driver Brad Hewitt was content to allow the big imposing gelding time to settle. It looked as if he might be caught outside Wamboyneinamerica but Hewitt pressed on and he forged to the lead.

Michayway who might have been his only danger having worked his way into the one out and one back trail and eased out on the final bend.

But Hollywood Strip given a bit more rein by Hewitt simply sprinted clear leaving his rivals standing and in running his last quarter in 27.1 seconds comfortably held off Michayway by just under ten metres with Mike Ross getting up on the inside for third.

Hollywood Strip rated an impressive 1.53 for the 2240 metres.

HOLLYWOOD STRIP 4 APR REPLAY

Harness racing pundits may well have questioned Hewitt in why he backed up a week later. Prior to the event Hewitt explained the factors behind his loss at Bathurst:

It’s the first time he’s seen any cover in the race and its been a bit of a hard ask. He’s been asked to go this whole prep with the Derby being over a mile and that he’s been ready to rock and roll. He’s still got a lot to learn that’s why I bought him over here tonight he’s going to spell over at Mick Boot’s (the owner) place So I thought come over and give him another look, it’s his first race over 2200 metres which will do him good.

There’s been a little pressure off now that he’s been beaten. It was going to happen some time. The only I was a bit disappointed was how he raced. He was pretty untractable and didn’t race good at all. If he didn’t do that I think he might have still won. This will be his last run this prep and he’ll come back next time.

Interview courtesy Paul Campbell, Campbell’s Comments

Hollywood Strip now has the excellent record of ten wins and one placing from his eleven starts to date with stake earnings just under $300,000.

As Hewitt indicated he only needs to be more settled in his racing to develop into an outstanding prospect in his future career.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink