Frustrating string of near misses broken

WELL-PERFORMED pacer Artillery broke a frustrating string of near misses this evening.

Although racing in ultra-consistent fashion, the eight-year-old had been winless since last August, but had been among the placegetters on nine occasions during the interim.

Given a freshen-up last month, Artillery’s placings include his four starts this season.

With trainer Paul Cavallaro in the cart, Artillery returned to the winners’ circle via the Kadina Pacing Cup.

“It is great to have the old bloke winning again,” Cavallaro said. “Looks like we have finally got him healthy again.

“Hopefully it can stay that way and he can carry on with it now.”

Settled three-back in the running line from his second row draw as Peace Of Heaven led from the pole, Artillery was taken three-wide entering the back straight on the final occasion.

Sustaining a strong sprint, the son of Art Major completed a three-and-a-half metre win from Places You Dont, with Betterzipit a metre-and-a-half away third.

“I thought the draw was going to be tricky, but it worked out quite well,” Cavallaro said. “When I pulled him out he just wanted to go and was still feeling strong on the line.

“I’ll see how he is over the next couple of days, but at this stage I will aim him at Kapunda’s Cup on Sunday.”