Jasper wins the Bendigo Cup for Ballarat

16 January 2012 - Ballarat trainer Paul Rowse celebrated the biggest win of his career when Decorated Jasper led from start to finish to win the $50,000 Group Two PETstock Bendigo Pacing Cup. Driven by the in-form Jodi Quinlan, Decorated Jasper ($3.10 favourite) held off Villagem ($6.50) by two metres, with Captain Joy ($10.90) flying home to be third. The win was Decorated Jasper’s first Group win and took his career prizemoney to just less than $350,000. “I was saying to Jodi (Quinlan, driver) after the race, I can’t believe he has won nearly $350,000 in stakes just winning $20,000 races,” said Rowse. “So to get a race like that is very special for us. “We know he is not as good as some of the elite Grand Circuit horses like Smoken Up, so we are thrilled to get a race like this.” It was a special win for Quinlan. She had already won the Maryborough, Yarra Valley and Horsham cups this season, but Saturday night’s win was the most special of the quartet. “Jasper is a favourite of mine,’’ she said. “It really hurt me to get off him in the Horsham Cup and drive Glenferrie Alexis. “He’s a wonderful horse. He really deserved to win a good race like this. “He travelled really well out in front and was always going to be hard to beat.” The first furlong was always going to be crucial in Saturday night’s race. Once Decorated Jasper held the lead from Our Malabar he was going to be the hardest to beat. Star Bendigo mare Make Mine Cullen worked to the death seat and gave Villagem a perfect sit in the one-one position. Quinlan gave Decorated Jasper an easy time in front, running the first half of the mile in 59.8 seconds. They unleashed a 28.4 third quarter, which saw off Make Mine Cullen, before sprinting home the final 400m in 27.5 seconds. Villagem was gallant in defeat, while Captain Joy produced a slashing final sectional to make good ground from the back of the field. Decorated Jasper and Rowse will now chase a win in their hometown Cup on January 28. A Ballarat Cup win would be extra special for Rowse as he is the chief executive of the Ballarat Harness Racing Club. - Adam Bourke (Bendigo Advertiser)