Rakero Rebel upsets in $150,000 Queen Of The Pacific

Talented mare Rakero Rebel (Rock N Roll Heaven) scored her most important harness racing win when she surprised her more fancied rivals In the $150,000 Group 1 Benstud Queen of the Pacific classic for mares at Melton last night. 

As expected odd on favourite Aardie’s Express won the race for the early lead with polemarker Jilliby Willow taking the trail behind the leader. Aardies’s Express was perfectly rated by driver Cameron Hart and her main danger Major Delight was caught racing outside the leader.

In the meantime Rakero Rebel was buried back three on the rails with driver Greg Sugars looking to angle off the rails. Aardie’s Express was given free rein on the final bend and she was being hailed the winner but Rakero Rebel weaved her way through the pack to snatch victory by a neck with Jilliby 

Rakero Rebel dashes through on the pegs to claim some big scalps in taking out the Group 1 Benstud Queen Of The Pacific for Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars. pic.twitter.com/zf2iFA4uSY

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) October 12, 2024

Sugars was naturally delighted following the event. 

“It was super exciting. Its always the racing in that sort of race when you get a late split. I knew that round the corner I had a lot of horse left but whether the gaps were going to come in time to be winning hope. I was a little unsure of getting clear halfway down the straight but she’s that quick and that just got us over the line. To come out on top was awesome.”

 Tay Tay who was back at the rear in a capacity field finished fast to be just behind the placegetters. The race has continued to grow in stature since Look On won the original event in 1990.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink