Handsandwheels’ rich vein of form continues with Cup

Classy six-year-old Handsandwheels added another unforgettable chapter to his stellar career on Friday night at Gloucester Park, claiming the $50,000 Governor’s Cup MS Pace (2130m) for trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo.

The Capel champion has hit a rich vein of form, with his last two wins breaking race rating records set by Chicago Bull in 2018.

Finishing a metre clear of a tenacious Galactic Star, driven by Harvey’s Dylan Egerton-Green, Handsandwheels rated 1:53.2, eclipsing the previous mark of 1:53.9.

The win also continued the South West’s dominance in the Governor’s Cup, with North Boyanup’s Rocknroll Lincoln, trained by Justin Prentice, winning the 2019 event.

Post-race, De Campo believed recent success would help ensure his star would be cherry-ripe for next year’s summer carnival at Gloucester Park.

“This horse has a great will to win and keeps giving,” De Campo said. “He had a good trail into the race tonight after we tracked Galactic Star forward.

“I was confident when fighting out the finish with Galactic Star because Handsandwheels always wins head-to-head battles.

“The cups at our next carnival will be his long-term mission.”

During the early exchanges it was another South West raider, Busselton stalwart Talktomeurmattjesty, doing plenty of work at the head of the field.

Once alongside early pole setter Vampiro, driver Kyle Harper sent him to the front, where his fleet of foot was posing some early questions to the compact field.

De Campo was calm in the spyder as Handsandwheels patiently held his own midfield, after the early tempo resulted in him breaking clear from several runners in front of him.

As the field got the bell, Harper boldly elected to go for it all, with Talktomeurmattjesty striding past Our Jimmy Johnstone to take the lead at the winning post.

However given the work he had endured while pursuing the outside path behind the leader, it was always going to be a massive ask for the veteran to hold on.

And sure enough, entering the home turn with everything on the line, Handsandwheels again showcased the full range of his ability.

With nothing to lose, De Campo urged his six-year-old on passionately, as he managed to mow down a courageous Galactic Star with 80m to go and complete another terrific journey for the Capel-based stable.

Earlier in the night, De Campo teamed up with Prentice in the Vale Boof Anderson MS Pace (2536m), with De Campo getting Always An Honour home in fourth.