Houdini Boy Seals Sale Cup Glory

HOUDINI Boy produced his trademark barnstorming finish to secure a stunning last-to-first win in the Group 1 Gold 98.3 FM Sale Cup Final (650m) on Saturday night.

The ultra-talented son of Zambora Brockie started a drifting yet solid favourite for the $75,000-to-the-winner Boxing Day feature, following last week's slashing 36.78 heat success.

Trained by leading Victorian conditioner Kel Greenough, Houdini Boy, renowned for his tantalizing racing style, had to produce yet another exhilarating performance to secure his maiden group 1, powering home to defeat Hume Cup winner Last Hurrah by two lengths in 36.96.

The victory extended Houdini Boy's record to 13 wins from 24 starts with prizemoney now upwards of $200,000.

Houdini Boy was massive in victory yet the performance of runner-up Last Hurrah was gallant in the absolute least.

Houdini Boy was handled by kennel representative Darren Pattinson for his Sale Cup triumph, understandably over the moon with the captivating group 1 success.

"It's a great feeling. He's an exciting dog," Pattinson said.

"Down the back he's given them a long start, he got into trouble everywhere he went. To run them down like that is just a fantastic effort.

"His will to chase and win the race is what makes him what he is. He can get knocked over, he can go around them. He can do whatever.

"That's why he's such an exciting dog."

Saturday night's Sale Cup success sits beside Houdini Boy's Group 3 Speed Star (600m) win at The Meadows in September, and still relatively new to the staying caper, appears poised for many more group race successes over the longer journey.

A number of other feature events were run and won on Saturday night's card including the Cup Night Match Race, taken out by Run Like Jess.

A relatively new acquisition to trainer Rob Camilleri, Run Like Jess defeated Blazing Cartier in a slick 36.81 over the Sale Cup journey.

The Dunkley's Machinery Rising Star Final (440m) produced an upset result with the Glenn Rounds-trained Hoffa scoring in 24.64.

Going around at odds upwards of $23, Hoffa, a son of Mepunga Blazer, got the job done by three lengths over Jet Lee Rose to secure the $6,500 first prize.

The Sale Motor Group Summer Cup Final (520m) was won by Zipping Sullivan in 29.28 for trainer Deb Coleman.

A finalist in last month's Melbourne Cup, Zipping Sullivan upstaged a strong field over the 520 metres to salute in a smart 29.28.