Last nights Shepparton Gold Cup looked a fairly even affair on paper with several distinct winning chances.

The Kiwi raider Ohoka Punter was well fancied from his handy front line draw but several locals had a claim as well including the likes of Messini and Yankee Rockstar to mention just two.

Standing starts can bring there own problems and last nights cup was no exception with the first attempt a major mess and the second attempt more of a walk in than a stand.

Once the tapes had gone, Ohoka Punter and Anthony Butt had speared to the front and from then on it was race basically over.

The son of Bettor's Delight had them all under pressure a long way out and Anthony Butt didn't have to drive him out to record a sensational victory in very smart time.

It was left to the rank outsider Five Star Anvil to get home late along the inner for second in front of an okay run from Yankee Rockstar who trailed Ohoka Punter the whole way.

The 2690 metres from the stand was cut out in a brilliant track record 3:15.5, a mile rate of 1:57 with closing sectionals of 56 and 28.2

Ohoka Punter has been one of the pinup horses in New Zealand over the last few seasons but has had his career blighted by injury to a major extent.

One of the pre post favourites for this years New Zealand Trotting Cup, Ohoka Punter was disappointing to say the least, performing well below expectations.

Back in the North Island, the next three runs were not up to his normal standard either but his last start second to The Orange Agent before crossing the Tasman was much more like it.

The winner of eighteen from just thirty nine lifetime starts and stakes over the $700,000, Ohoka Punter has the all round game to be a big player in a lot of the upcoming features in Australia.

The entire is a great stand start exponent and must be eyeing the Hunter Cup with some relish after last nights display.

Harnesslink Media