Mobile Legend stamped himself as Victoria’s new country cups ‘king’ on Thursday night when claiming his second successive provincial feature in the $74,335 Group 2 Bridges on Argyle Traralgon Cup Final (450m).
Trained by twin brothers Daryl and Colin Brennan, Mobile Legend dominated the Gippsland Festival of Racing, winning two of the three legs, having also won the G2 Warragul Cup in race record time on January 13.
“He’s a ‘legend’ in our eyes!” said a delighted Daryl Brennan.
A superbly-related son of 2017 Melbourne Cup winner and Traralgon Cup finalist Aston Dee Bee and Weeping Lass that turned three in December, Mobile Legend led all-the-way to win the Cup in a scorching 24.50sec, just one length outside the 450m track record set by Mr. Audacious in the heats.
“He’s a ‘legend’ in our eyes!” – Trainer Daryl Brennan
It was his sixth win from his past seven starts and 17th from 35 overall.
After his sensational record-breaking qualifying performance at his first start since September 1, Mr. Audacious (box 3) started $2.50 favourite, striving to boost his perfect Traralgon record to ten from ten.
Mobile Legend had missed the start on debut at Traralgon, without the benefit of a trial, in his 24.62sec heat victory, and the Brennans were confident of significant improvement in the $47,000 to-the-winner final.
Mobile Legend started at what appeared and turned out to be a generous $4.80 from box five.
The other runners at single figures were former track record holder Salad Dodger ($4.30 from box 1) and Revolution ($6.60 from box 4), which was chasing a sixth straight victory.
WATCH: MOBILE LEGEND (B5) claimed back-to-back country cups when leading all-the-way in the G2 Traralgon Cup Final (450m) on Australia Day, defeating REVOLUTION (B4) in a near-record 24.50sec.
Mobile Legend held Revolution at bay, scoring by 1.17 lengths, to remain unbeaten in five career starts from box five, with River Rough ($11.50) third, while Mr. Audacious was never a factor, finishing last.
“What a thrill!” said Daryl Brennan.
“He jumped well, which he had to do tonight. You can’t give dogs like these a start.
“When he led I didn’t think they could beat him, but the four (Revolution) ran a great race and you’re never confident until they go past the post.
“He did everything right tonight. We’re very proud of the boy.”
Mobile Legend is a half-brother to 2019 Bendigo Cup winner Crimson Vixen and is now the headline act in a phenomenal litter that also features Action Girl (30 from 43) and Silver Brute (29 from 49).
“I’m just having a drink with Colin now and talking about what we do next,” Daryl said.
“The Horsham Cup is the next provincial cup, but it’s a little while away (heats March 3), and there’s some good races coming up at The Meadows.
“We know he hasn’t gone that well there in the past, but he’s a better dog now, so we might give him a trial at The Meadows and have a look at the Australian Cup. We probably have to now!”
The $11,500 McMahon Builders Match Race (450m) saw Paua Of Buddy ($1.90), trained by Steve White, claim consecutive cup night match races, having also been successful at Warragul, defeating Titan Blazer ($1.40) in 24.62sec.
The $15,425 GRV Vic Bred Maiden Final (450m) went to Mac’s Damage (Fernando Bale x She’s A Blazin’), trained by Harley Whelan, in 25.09sec.
The Traralgon Cup was the third and final leg of the Gippsland Festival of Racing, with the G1 Sale Cup won by Jarick Bale, which went back-to-back for Mark Delbridge.
