Patience rewarded as drought broken

PATIENCE were finally rewarded last night.

Despite racing in consistent fashion, Group One winning squaregaiter More Wanted had been suffering from a drought since July 2024.

That changed in Ararat when the Vince Dicocco-trained gelding captured the Trotters’ Cup.

“It’s been a while since he won, but he has been going well,” Dicocco said. “He’s been running placings at 50 per cent of his starts, but just finding better horses on the night.

“Things went his way this time and he finally got a well-earned win.”

With Jack Laugher in the cart, More Wanted began well from his 20-metre handicap to be settled two-back in the running line as Im Above The Law led from the pole.

Sustaining a three-wide run for the final lap, the son of Creatine reached the front in the last stride to score by a short half-head from Avant Guard, which was brave after racing in the ‘death seat’.

Our Marvella finished stoutly to be a metre away third as the winner rated 2:03 over 2570 metres.

“He got away really well and was in a handy position early, which set up the win,” Dicocco said. “I’m very happy with the way he got home.

“Races such as that suit him, so I will be looking at some more standing starts with him, which may include Geelong in a couple of weeks.”

Later on the card Ata Rangi worked to the lead from barrier six before narrowly holding on to secure the Pacing Cup for trainer Kyle Marshall.

Driven by Jordan Leedham, staved off a late challenge from Madigan to complete a half-head victory, with Madrigal four metres away third in 1:55.9 over 2195 metres.