By Brigette Solomon
Trainer Jason Teaz had a night to remember at Cambridge last Friday, taking out both Thames Country Cups.
Ultimate Moment won the Thames Trotting Cup only for Brookies Jaffa to then secure the Thames Pacing Cup two races later.
“It was an incredible night out and almost a perfect night with Noble Count running second in the last,” says Teaz.
Driven by Andre Poutama, the five year old trotter Ultimate Moment stepped away well to lead from start to finish and ran away from the field in the home straight to win the cup by 5 and a half lengths.
“He’s been getting stronger with each start and lately he’s been getting around the place like he’s 17 hands and bullet proof,” says Teaz.
“I’ve always thought he had some ability and he’s developing into a solid racehorse”.
The win was all the more special with the passing of part owner Elwyn Bradley earlier this week, who had become like family to Jason, Megan and daughter Emma.
“We have trained at the Bradley’s property for 13 years now and Elwyn would look after our daughter Emma while we worked horses in the morning and later she would put her on the school bus at their gate,” says Teaz.
“She was very much like a grandmother to Emma who even called her Nana”.
Taylad To Use was second, Jasinova third with Melsadele a fast finishing fourth after breaking at the start.
Brookies Jaffa was a deserving winner of the Thames Pacing Cup making it his 13th lifetime win.
The gelding was given a perfect drive by Peter Ferguson, stepping away well to be four back the fence early before coming off the pegs to sit one-one for the final lap.He then battled it out in the straight in his typical tough style to win by a neck.
“He’s awesome, you know you’re going to get 100% with him every start and as he’s matured he’s become so tough, we are really seeing the best of him now as a seven year old and the owners deserve the success,” says Teaz.
The Thames Pacing Cup is a Country Championship Qualifier with the Final over 3200m and worth $110,000 being held at Addington on the 10th May.
“Brookie deserves a spot in a decent race and we’d love to see him in the Country Cup Final if he can get there,” says Teaz.
“He also has a couple of owners down there who would love to see him race at Addington”.
