Staying sensation, Without A Trace has added the time honoured Sale Cup (640 metres) to her ever growing star studded list of achievements, in track record time last Saturday night.
Without A Trace ($1.80), owned by Darren and Michael Puleio landed the group one event with a hefty $75,000 winning cheque, with relative ease in the finish, racing away late to defeat a gallant Texas President ($5.90) and free running local hope, Ascend Geranium ($21.60), who gave a huge sight in front for Metung trainer Harley Whelan.
A huge crowd was in attendance for the event, which lost none of its glam and glitter, switching from its regular Boxing Day fixture.
Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield was on track mingling with patrons, including those at the Beach Party.
Devon Meadows trainer, Peter Pressutto puts the polish on Without A Trace, who has now won 16 of over 26 starts and over $400,000 in stakes.
It was her third group one victory in the last three months and she stopped the clock at an electrifying 36.06 seconds, the brilliant stayer lowered the previous benchmark – set by Canya All Class in last year’s Cup heats – by two full lengths, producing a performance that left seasoned racegoers in awe.
The writing was on the wall early, with Without A Trace showed all the hallmarks of a champion, settling into her rhythm just off Aston Geranium, before unleashing a powerful finishing burst to overwhelm her rivals in the last 100 metres.
Without A Trace is a daughter of former Sale Cup winner, Houdini Boy.
Without A Trace will return to her more favoured 700 metre race distance in the coming months, where she may become one of the best stayers the sport has seen in recent times.
