It was a keenly anticipated clash between the former proven Australian stayers, Trip To Eden for Denis Schofield and the Karen Walsh prepared Dusty Gambler, in last Thursday’s $15,825 Theresa McDonald Memorial Cup over the extreme 747m trip at Group 2 level.

Pictured: Dusty Gambler following his smart 22 February 650m win with trainer Karen Walsh

It developed into the expected paw wrestle on the big, spacious Cambridge Raceway circuit as commentator Pete Earley dropped into his call “We have got the race we wanted”. Well at least it was until the pace setters turned their heads for home for the long demanding grind up the Cambridge Raceway straight.

Before we check out the race finish, let’s go back to see what unfolded earlier. Trip To Eden led into the first turn with the Walsh-trained last year’s winner of this race Thrilling Flo in close attendance.

Well that was until her new kennel mate Dusty Gambler decided to drop his shoulder into her which effectively ended her claims. That tactic used by the new kennel mate obviously wasn’t overly polite.

Seizing the initiative heading into the back straight was Trip To Eden who scampered clear building what appeared to be a comfortable margin over Dusty Gambler. Heading the chase after this pair was another recent Aussie imported stayer Very Choosy who now operates out of the locally based Peter Henley kennels. The proven Dave and Jean Fahey conditioned stayer Translator was next in the running order.

The action happened on that final turn. Dusty Gambler put in some giant bounds which noticeably closed the margin between the leading pair. In fact that margin completely evaporated and stretched out the other way in a matter of just a few more strides. Dusty Gambler made a statement in the strong style when he cleared out to effortlessly nail his Group 2 victory, clocking 42.69s for his emphatic 5.25 length victory.

Translator extended stylishly with her effort carrying her into a clear cut second and in doing so she relegated Trip To Eden back to third a further 1.75 lengths astern. There was another 4.75 lengths back to the fourth placed Very Choosy.

It was the second win from as many races since Dusty Gambler crossed the Tasman – his first win was an equally powerful 650m effort. Walsh was rightfully ecstatic after the event saying, “I’m over the moon with Dusty, especially with the strong way he won the race.

“He jumped beautifully, gave Flo the shoulder which sent her whizzing and he carried on to get the job nicely done from there. He needed that run so yes we’ll now move onto the next target down at Hatrick,” advised Walsh.

That target just happens to be the Wanganui Distance at Group 1 level over the 755m trip (heats scheduled 20 April).

By Peter Fenemor