Sights set on country cups circuit
ANOTHER crack at the country cup circuit is the short term plan with handy pacer Bettorhavtime.
Speaking after Bettorhavtime’s narrow victory at Globe Derby last night, trainer Heather Stevens cited the provincial features as the perfect targets for the gelding – providing the handicapping system keeps him competitive!
Earlier this season Bettorhavtime contested the Victor Harbor, Strathalbyn and Gawler Cups, with a second in the latter his best result.
“I will have a look at the country cups again with him this time in,” Stevens said. “That’s as long as the handicaps don’t get too harsh.
“Under normal circumstances I would also consider taking him to Melbourne for an M0.”
Further ahead Stevens hopes the son of Bettors Delight can gain a berth in the South Australia Pacing Cup, which has been moved from the February timeslot of the past couple of years to April.
Bettorhavtime was unplaced in the Cup Consolation in February.
Four starts later Bettorhavtime began a seven-run winning streak before finishing third from a 40-metre handicap in his last outing before a spell.
“It’s a while away, but the Pacing Cup is the aim with him,” Stevens said. “Hopefully he is going well enough at the time.”
A handy fourth first-up from a break, Bettorhavtime proved too classy the second time around when accounting for Joes A Character and Bettor Vision over 1800 metres.
Rating 1:56.7, the five-year-old registered his 24th win from his 85th start, with 23 placings also to his credit.
“I was pretty happy with his run,” Stevens said. “He usually takes a few starts to get his fitness up and he should be better again next time around.”