Last Day Salutes In The 2014 Mandurah Cup Final

Last Day was the surprise victor in the Three on Friday night, defeating $1.20 favourite Star . The trained chaser rocketed out of box two to claim the lead as his own from start to finish, the only challenger being Burundi after trouble arose taking both Star Recall and out of winning contention. Burundi held on to finish three lengths behind Last Day, with Houdini Monelli running on well to finish third and Cee Sheen sticking to the rails to finish fourth.

After a career best performance last week in the heats from box eight, the son of sat firmly as second favourite with a starting price of $9.50. The inside draw of box two helped him to lower his career best time for the second week in a row over the 490 metre distance, this time to 27.34.

“I just about jumped through the TV! I was right up in front of it yelling him home!” Trainer Christine Robartson, who is recovering from knee surgery explained.

“I am never confident when they are that close. He does love the rails and he didn't leave them. Burundi was on the outside of the track, I still felt bad that we beat Linda – I'm so glad she run second with Burundi.”

The former Queensland chasers win marked not only his first Group title, but also Robartson's third time winning the Mandurah Cup. Robartson's previous winners of the Mandurah Cup include Tidi Level in 1985 and Barelen Sprint in 1996, which were run from the then 530 metre distance. Robartson also bred the 2012 winner Saving Bundles who was trained by close friend . Saving Bundles is currently playing the role of mother to her two puppies fathered by General Destini for the Robartson – Britton partnership.

After switching coastlines back in November of 2013, Last Day has hardly put a paw wrong, running unplaced on WA soil on just three occasions from 33 starts. He is yet to break through for a win at Cannington but he has been close to the money running a handful of placing's over the 530. Although a win at headquarters is highly anticipated for the blue brindle chaser, his Group Three Mandurah Cup win will have owner Larry Jocumsen more then pleased.

“Last Day was handy in Brisbane but he was just finding the 520 a bit far at . That's why we bought him with us, because we thought he would like the 490 at Mandurah.”

Robartson had the same high hopes for litter brother Super who at just his fifth start at Mandurah fell and was hit by the lure. After time in the vets Super Yikes passed away as a result of the injuries.

“We took Last Day to Cannington to change the track and I think he appreciated coming back to Mandurah. He really loves Mandurah and we have always said to Larry that we would try the Mandurah Cup with him.”

“We kept him fresh at home before the cup then started him back at Mandurah over the 490 to get him in the mood again.

During the week Robartson believed that Last Day would be running for second place, but after doing one better and bringing home the $25,000 to add to his earnings, Last Day will be the topic of conversation with the clinking of beer and wine glasses in celebration.

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