GEORGES Plains trainer-driver Bernie Hewitt sprung the biggest upset in the opening round of Australian Pacing Gold heats thus far when saluting with Bettor Sport on Tuesday.
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An annual series which attracts some of Australia’s best juveniles, Hewitt entered Bettor Sport in the two-year-old colts and geldings heats staged at Menangle Park.
While the Sportswriter x Bettor By Far gelding had twice won on his home track prior to that heat, he started as a $35.90 prospect.
Instead punters were expecting Letterkenny Boy ($1.60), from the strong Mark Purdon stable, to be the first home in the 1,609 metres trip.
However, in the end the favourite had to settle for second behind Hewitt’s roughie.
Letterkenny Boy took the lead after the green light was given, peeling off a hot 27.5 seconds opening quarter.
Hewitt settled fourth on the pegs with Bettor Sport, but got out of the trail as they headed towards the final bend.
Down the home straight Hewitt guided Bettor Sport three wide and in the final 15 metres he pulled ahead of the favourite.
He won by by a neck over Letterkenny Boy in a career best 1:55.8 mile rate, the race caller exclaiming: “Bettor Sport has blown out Letterkenny Boy … a boil over.”
The final is on May 5 at Melton Park.
