I Am Hellbound flies the flag in Bulli Trotters Cup

Local trotter I Am Hellbound (Father Patrick) gave a dashing exhibition of trotting in the lead with a narrow but convincing harness racing win in the $25,000 Woodlands Stud Bulli Trotters Cup at Menangle on Saturday evening.

Full credit must go to driver Scott Hewitt who took the initiative to take up the running with just under a lap left to travel over favourite Gatesys Gem. The well fancied Kyvalley Maven moved up gradually to eventually race outside the leader. After showing early speed Courage Stride was shuffled back through the field.

I AM HELLBOUND 9 MAY REPLAY

Gatesys Gem started to give ground in the back straight while Kyvalley Maven continued to press away. Imperial Monarch who had broken up early suddenly emerged as a threat while Courage Stride was making his way through the field.

Despite facing a slew of challenges I Am Hellbound fought on gamely to hold on to a narrow win over Courage Stride with Imperial Monarch a close third.

I am Hellbound blotted his record when he broke two starts ago at Menangle but prior to that he was a model of consistency winning a number of races including the Four year old Trotters Foundation Final.

Hewitt was happy with I Am Hellbound’s performance.

He’s done a great job. He’s still pretty green to Menangle Racing but feel as though he’s getting better and he’s done a really good job and I’m enjoying him and the owners are having a really good time with him as well so its even better.

It’s probably like a strong Cup field so he had to do a little bit of work to get around and control things and he held them off but only just but he got the job done and I’d say it was probably one of his better wins.

We gave the Inters (Inter Dominions) a miss at the last minute and thought hopefully if we can hopefully drag a spot in the Great Square or a race like that then we’ll just make that his target and try and just keep form up here at Menangle and hopes he pricks a few ears.

Following the event Gatesys Gem was reported to have atrial fibrillation for the first time and she has been stood down for 14 days and stood down for an electrocardiograph. It is hoped that this top mare can make a full recovery.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink