Up And Away Wins The 2011 Ballarat Cup

Once again legendary trainer has pinched an unlikely victory after Up And Away took the spoils in the Greyhound Cup last night.

Up And Away ($6.80) led from the front and held on to sneak home ahead of 's Lektra Express ($39.50) and Bala Bale ($8) from Anakie.

It was the second year in a row Bate had taken out Ballarat's biggest race, having won last year with Greta Bale.

Up And Away upset odds-on favourite Cape Hawke ($1.80), which had settled itself in a promising position on the turn home out of box eight, but failed to find enough kick in the legs.

Cape Hawke eventually finished fourth.For Up And Away, the Ballarat Cup tops off a number of big career wins.She had previously won the $25,000 at The Meadows in November last year, as well the $72,500 1 Laurels Classic at Park in December last year. It was also her fourth win from five starts at Ballarat.

Owner Ann Sinnot said Up And Away had suffered a few problems in the past but she had shown her faith in Bate as the trainer and he had well and truly delivered. Handler Joe Briffa, who has worked closely with Bate for 12 years, said he was always confident of a positive result heading into the race.

Her time of 25.23 seconds in the $40,000 to-the-winner race equalled her personal best time over 450 metres. “I gave her a really good chance coming in,” Briffa said.

“There was a lot of pace underneath her and she held her line beautifully and ran home perfectly for the win.”

Despite Cape Hawke being heavily backed as the favourite heading into the race, it was Up And Away that got the early jump and was never headed. She eventually won by three-quarters of a length.

“It was actually the exact same time as her run in the Great Chase last year so we couldn't ask any more,” said Briffa.

And Briffa said there was no intention for Up And Away to rest on her one Ballarat Cup victory.

“We will be back next year for sure,” he said.

After the placed runners the field finished in the following order: Cape Hawke ($1.80), Dyna Steal ($15.30), Mungo Man ($19.50), Breckenridge ($24.10) and Marmion ($5.80).

Up And Away is raced by the Ann Sinnott and trained by Graeme Bate at Lara. She is a Fawn bitch whelped May 2009 by Where's Pedro from On Shore (Waterview Star x Bally Kay). Up And Away has won 16 with 16 placings from her 45 starts and with the $40,000 first prize for the Ballarat Cup it took his current stake earnings to $173,530.

The Ballarat Cup was first held at the old Broadway Park complex in 1960 over 496 yards. The first winner was Rebby Boy a greyhound sired by below is the honour Roll of past winners.

Ballarat Cup Honour Roll

1960 Rebby Boy, 1961 Dalemee, 1962 Eerie Town, 1963 Alrarniv 1964, 1965 Unknown, 1966 Unknown, 1967 Unknown, 1968 Baytown's Son, 1969 My Gina, 1970 1971 Fawn Metal, 1972 Master Caleb, 1973 She's My Girl, 1974 Fawn Capri, 1975 Ben Boro 1976 Ernie Diro, 1977 “Not Held”, 1978 “Not Held”, 1979 Nelson's Mate, 1980 Swift As Light, 1981 Johnny's Monaro, 1982 Satan's Shroud, 1983 Total Claim, 1984 Lady Lilly, 1985 Trisun, 1986 “Not Held”, 1987 Shining Chariot, 1988 Kepler, 1989 Hay Dinney, 1990 Welcome Stranger, 1991 Malawi's Prince, 1992 Wild Pirate, 1993 Dallas Duo, 1994 Tivoli Man, 1995 Malawi Law, 1996 King Of Talent, 1997 Young Darren, 1998 Lansley Bale, 1999 Tom's Legacy, 2000 Puff Daddy, 2001 Carlisle Jack, 2002 Knockabout Wok, 2003 Puzzle Prize, 2004 Whisky Assassin and 2005 Magic Trance, 2006 Witch Magic, 2007 Go Wild Jack, 2008 and 2009 Dyna Lachlan, 2010 Greta Bale, 2011 Up And Away

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