Outstanding trainer Aiden De Campo maintained a splendid record of winning races with pacers having their first start after a spell when he drove Cold Hard Cash to a narrow victory in the $21,000 The Chase on Seven Westbred Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Cold Hard Cash, making his first appearance after a 14-week absence, was the $2.70 favourite from the No. 1 barrier, with De Campo hoping to set the pace.
But his plans were foiled when $3.40 second fancy Tantabiddi mustered his customary early speed to dash past Cold hard Cash and into the lead after 60 metres.
This left Cold Hard Cash enjoying an ideal sit behind Tantabiddi, who had $11 chance Overly Excited for company in the breeze.
De Campo was able to ease Cold Hard Cash off the pegs at the bell and immediately was in the box seat, one-out and one-back, following Overly Excited. Cold Hard cash took the lead 40m from the post and then had to hold on grimly to finish a half-head of $11 chance Flyin Disco, who sustained a spirited three-wide burst from tenth at the bell.
This gave Cold Hard Cash his first metro-class win and it improved his record to 50 starts for ten wins, 18 placings and $83,864, a good return for his syndicate of owners who outlaid $30,000 to buy him at the 2021 Perth APG yearling sale.
He is by American sire Betting Line and is out of Cool Adda, a smart performer who raced 80 times for 15 wins, 12 placings and $160,839, with the highlight of his career being his win in the group 1 Diamond Classic for two-year-old fillies in June 2010.
By Ken Casellas