Forgotten champion to be honoured

HE’S the champion almost no one knows about, but at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night Inter Dominion winner Young Pedro will be honoured.

Without doubt one of the lesser-known winners of the time-honoured series, Young Pedro captured the feature at the Ascot Vale Showgrounds in 1959 in what was the 18th running of the Trans Tasman event.

Owned, trained and driven by South Australian Leo Hunt, Young Pedro became just the second four-year-old to secure the Championship, following Springfield Globe’s triumph in Launceston 20 years earlier.

Foaled in 1954, the chestnut colt was by Van Derby from Pedro’s Salute by Pedro Pronto from Royal Salute by Royal Lulu.

Fifth in his opening heat won by Dusty Miller, Young Pedro was then successful on the second night before running third behind Caduceus in his third qualifier.

Caduceus and Dusty Miller were the only unbeaten performers during the heats.

The rank outsider at 33/1 in the 12,000 pound Final over 14 furlongs (2800 metres), Young Pedro began well from the front line to settle in the coveted one-one as Dusty Miller led.

Angled into the clear around the last bend, Young Pedro dashed past the pacemaker at the top of the straight before scoring by three yards from Dusty Miller, which was second favourite at 9/2.

Billabong Scott, which also won a second round heat, was two yards away third at 25/1.

Caduceus, a 6/4 favourite despite his 36-yard handicap, could only manage fifth.

Young Pedro rated 2:11.8 in front of a crowd of 30,153 – an attendance which was considered disappointing due to “bad weather conditions”.

Overall, the four-night series attracted 92,042 patrons!

Young Pedro’s triumph rounded out a hat-trick for South Australia, with Radiant Venture winning in Perth in 1957 and Free Hall in Adelaide in 1958.

Young Pedro was also victorious in the 1959 and ‘61 South Australia Cups with Hunt in the sulky.

The latter success came in one of two divisions of the Cup, with Billabong Scott winning the other.

As for this week’s race in Young Pedro’s honour, a handy field of open class performers will battle over 1720 metres.

Fittingly a former SA pair are among the leading chances despite a poor draw.

A last start winner in Melton a fortnight ago, Bulletproof Boy will begin from the outside of the second row for trainer-driver Scott Ewen.

“The draw won’t worry him and he’ll enjoy the short trip,” Ewen said. “He’s going the best he has ever gone as a seven-year-old and will be ready to run another big race.

“This will be his last start this time in so it will be nice if he can head to the paddock.

“I’d like to have a crack at the Inter later this year, so he’ll have a good break before I get him going again for that.”