Redemption Day bolts to victory in Townsville Grand Prix
Redemption Day saluted in the Townsville Grand Prix Final on Tuesday night off the back of a blistering run to smash his personal best time.
The Harold Hovi-trained chaser jumped as a red-hot favourite for the $7,540-to-the-winner contest, at odds as short as $1.28 with online bookmakers.
The heavy support came after winning the heat last week in a time of 28.49, his first race since April 25.
The victory in the final came in a time of 28.36, breaking his previous best of 28.39 over the trip as he beat home Balts Orson ($10) and Hidden Fury ($81).
“The whole performance was impressive,” said trainer Hovi.
“Especially the jump, that was the part I was worried about but when he jumped so well I knew what he was capable of.
“The fact he ran that time better than his personal best surprised me because he is a year older than when he ran that best 28.39, but he did very well.”
2023 Townsville Grand Prix Final replay
Winner: Redemption Day (28.36)
The My Redeemer x Fancy Dancer dog has now had 37 starts for 19 wins and 10 placings, with prize money exceeding $100,000.
He relishes the 498m at Townsville, with 12 wins and five placings from 22 runs over the track and distance – including a win in the Townsville Wildcard Final and second place in the City Council Mayors Trophy Final.
“The Townsville Cup is coming up, so he more than likely will head to that,” Hovi said.
“The Wildcard and a couple of Free For All races are coming up also.
“I will have to sit down and have a look before I make any plans or any wild decisions with him.”
Meanwhile, it was another momentous night for local trainer Brad Belford as he bagged four wins while passing 3,500 career starts and clocking career win number 692.
South Townsville-based trainer Mark Partland also had a night to remember, bringing up 30 wins for the year as Big As Cash ($3.70), Bag The Cash ($2.80), and Aurora Damiro ($5.50) all saluted.