Despite Great Trick being neglected in the betting, starting at long odds of 86-1, trainer Gary Subratie said that he never ruled out the chances of his bay colt in the native-bred three-year-old (non-winners of two) and imported three-year-old and upwards (maiden) call on Saturday, August 27, 2022.

Ridden by Raddesh Roman, Great Trick turned-up in the final stride to win the six-furlong (1,200m) event by a head in a blanket finish involving four horses spread across the track.

Get A Pepsi and Last Bid dead-heated for second place with both horses a nose ahead of fourth place finisher Silent Mission.

Great Trick raced in mid-pack for most of the way as Mila’s All That (Javaniel Patterson) led the field ahead of Wowtastic (Dick Cardenas) and Last Bid (Chris Mamdeen). Mila’s All That fell navigating the half-mile turn, allowing Last Bid and Wowtastic to battle for control.

Both Last Bid and Wowtastic were hooked in battle in deep stretch, but in the closing stages, Great Trick and Get A Pepsi came flying on the outside, while Silent Mission took the path against the inside rails. Wowtastic felt the heat and dropped out of contention, leaving the other four runners to fight out the finish, only the photo-finish camera could determine the winning margins. The final time was recorded at 1:15.3.

“I am pleased with him [Great Trick]. He ran last week over four furlongs and won the race in 47 and change. We got the perfect draw because he is a timid horse, I mean he got no interference around the backstretch and he finished the race strong.

“I told him [Raddesh Roman] to get a good break and ride his race. You got the perfect draw and so take your time to come down and don’t rush. I was expecting him [Great Trick] to hit the board for sure,” said Subratie.

— Ruddy Allen