THE BUS BEATEN BY DRAW IN FINAL
The Bus fought gamely from the outside second row draw when second in the C2-5 $25,000 Hygain Golden Guitar Final at Tamworth, New South Wales, on Thursday, January 24.
The Mark Jones-trained pacer settled five places back on the outer for driver Guy Chappie, then improved wide beginning the last 1000m to be parked outside front-running Queenslander, Im Norma Jean, over the last lap.
Im Norman Jean (5m Modern Art-Lets Rocknroll), driven by Pete McMullen for trainer Peter Greig, didn’t relent over the last 600m, drawing clear to win by 6.5 metres in a 1:57.8 rate for the 1980m.
The Bus rallied well late in the tussle for second, holding out Ashark.
Since resuming in late November, The Bus has maintained his consistency, racing five times for three wins and two seconds, including winning in a 1:56.1 rate over 1980m from the one draw in the Pub Group Gold Nugget at Tamworth on January 16.
The Art Major-Rondel Franco entire has taken his career record to 10 wins and 12 placings from 37 starts, for $92,718, in stakes, for owner, Grant Hatton.