New South Wales trainer-driver Darren Hancock made a memorable return to Ballarat on Saturday night.
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Hancock took Jofess to victory in the 2003 Ballarat Pacing Cup.
I’m happy with him and he’s got plenty still in the tank.
- trainer -driver Darren Hancock
This time he landed another cup – the group 2 $30,000 EB Cochran Trotters’ Cup, 2200m.
On Thunder Road ($2.10 favourite) found the lead and that is where he stayed top score from High Gait ($6) and Glenferrie Burn ($60.30), which was the first of Ballarat trainer Anton Golino’s four runners home.
Hancock will now take On Thunder Road to the Summer of Glory Carnival at Melton, where he will undoubtedly add to his career standings of 29 wins in 60 starts for $215,000.
The group 1 Dullard Cup at Melton next Saturday is his next target followed by group 1 Great Southern Star on the same circuit a week later.
Hancock was more than happy with the way On Thunder Road went to the line in setting a new track class record.
He said he was happy with the seven-year-old, which still had plenty in the tank.
Hancock was accompanied to Bray Raceway by his uncle and legendary trainer-driver Brian Hancock, who took out the 1998 Ballarat Pacing Cup with champion Our Sir Vancelot.
Darren Hancock was one of four past Ballarat Cup-winning drivers to salute in support races on Saturday.
Ian McMahon was also successful on Pipe Me Home ($8.60) in a Vicbred Platinum Trotting Mares Sprint Championship heat, 1710m; Chris Alford on Beach Boy Adios ($2.70) in the City of Ballarat Claiming Pace, 2200m; and Mark Purdon on A Piccadilly Princess ($1.10)
McMahon captured the cup with Flashing Red in 2005, while Alford combined with Im Corzin Terror in 2014.
AFTER LUNCH ($9.90) began what would be a trend for the night with interstate connections taking home plenty of the spoils.
Although trained and driven by Victorian David Miles, After Lunch gave her Tasmanian connections something to cheer about in winning The Provincial C1 Pace Final, 2200m.
The four-year-old mare came from last to grab the lead in the last few strides after sitting three wide for the 1000m.
YOUNG Modern was the best of the Ballarat-trained runners in the Ballarat Pacing Cup in fourth.
The Emma Stewart-trained Young Modern worked home strongly after racing third back on the pegs and finding clear air in the home straight.