Racing: Brave victory for Bettor Cover Lover

Brent Mangos never thought he would utter the words he did at Alexandra Park last night.

But Bettor Cover Lover left him with no choice after her brave victory in the $175,000 PGG Wrightson Sales Series Pace.

Mangos has long believed he would struggle to train another pacing filly as good as Molly Darling, who dominated her crop on both sides of the Tasman at two and three.

But Mangos now says Better Cover Lover is in that class.

"I think she has to rate up there with Molly now," said Mangos.

"That was a brave win because we were wide down the back straight and they were going at that stage.

"But she is very tough and wants to win."

And win in great time too, as she did last night, already sealing her future broodmare value after just four starts.

Better Cover Lover is not unlike Molly Darling, having size on most of her rivals, and she will chase further riches in the Sires' Stakes Final next Friday.

Mangos thinks the busy week won't bother his new stable star.

"She is a good eater and loves her work so I think we will be right."

Her clash with Paradise City, who beat her in the Caduceus Club Classic, and Collectable will be one of the highlights on next Friday's star-studded programme.

But one way Better Cover Lover will not get the chance to emulate Molly Darling will be at the Australasian Breeders Crown in Victoria in August.

"She is not eligible for that and while it is great stake over there I don't mind missing it.

"The three-year-old fillies have a lot of opportunities next season."

In beating Highview Ebony and Better Move It, Better Cover Lover headed home another feature-race trifecta for her sire Bettors Delight, who is proving a siring sensation this season.

She also stemmed the tide of South Island winners at Alexandra Park last night, with the first two races both going to the southerners.

Cast Off Courage led throughout and sprinted his last 800m in 56.5 seconds to beat Mach Banner, repaying punters who kept faith in him after he broke his hopples as favourite last week.

The win would have earned him a spot in next Friday's $150,000 Messenger Pace but trainer Stephen McNally says he is likely to bypass the group one.

"He is eligible for a bonus if he wins again so I might keep him to the grades," said McNally.

Then trotting supremo Paul Nairn unleashed another potential star in Dr Hook, who smashed his rivals in minor trot.

"He seems to trot better this way and isn't a bad horse," said the under-stated Nairn.