Butt in bike on Si Capisco for Trotters Cup

9 June 2012 - Bendigo trainer Alan McIntosh is hoping for a hometown victory when Si Capisco compete's in tonight's $15,000 Bendigo Bank 2012 Bendigo Trotters Cup over 2650 metres at Lord’s Raceway.
Chris Alford steered Si Capisco to victory on a rain affected track in the $15,000 John Slack Memorial Trot Cup at Ballarat last week and the son of Sundon looks ideally placed for its chance to put together back to back feature races. To be driven tonight by New Zealander Bob Butt, Si Capisco has raced well for McIntosh since being purchased by his family earlier this year. As well has his last start Ballarat win Si Capisco was also runner up to Earl Of Mot, beaten seven metres in the Bruce Skeggs Cup at Cranbourne in May and won the Mildura Trotters Cup in April. Si Capisco’s opposition looks stronger than last week with 40 metre backmarker Earl Of Mot, the winner of three of his past five starts for the Lance Justice stable looking the best of them. Leigh Sutton has also elected to stay aboard Earl Of Mot in preference to continuing his winning association with Makemcry Maori which will start of the outside of the frontline with Nathan Jack aboard. Other in-form trotters in the Cup include last start Melton winner Aleppo Sunrise and Xanderxav, both off 10 metre handicaps. The state’s leading driver Daryl Douglas is on board Savannah Way, a very smart gelding trained by Ross Graham.  
Douglas had a good association with Savannah Way last year but the son of Sundon has been on the sidelines for 11 months. The Bendigo Trotters Cup is one of six trophy races on the 10 race Bendigo card which starts at 5:25pm. The $10,000 Les Pratt Memorial 3yo Fillies Classic (2150m) has drawn together a classy line-up. The Classic is the first running of the race which is recognising the contribution to local harness racing by the late Les Pratt who passed away as a result of a training accident almost a year ago. Elmore trainer Keith Cotchin has a very strong hand in this race with three chances. The will harness up Chiquita Bromac (Scott Dyer), Dobop (Jodi Quinlan) and Rubeelee (John Caldow). The Alabar Bendigo Guineas and the Bendigo Bank 3yo Trotters Classic are the other two feature races on the program. Trophies will also be presented to the winners of the Laser Electrical Pace and the Dunlop & Pitson Earthmoving Pace. The public also get a chance to be a active participant in Bendigo's big racenight. The BHRC will conduct a sweepstakes draw on the Bendigo Trotters Cup with names drawn from a lucky barrel to match the Cup starters. The person who draws the Cup winner will recieve a 40" LCD TV. Entry forms are available in the racebook.  - David Aldred