NO BONUS BUT REWARDING CIRCUIT FOR BETTOR'S FIRE

Bettor's Fire, whose three wins in five days on the West Coast Christmas grass circuit would have earned him a bonus in previous years, will have a well-earned holiday this month.

A change to the conditions of eligibility for the West Coast bonus meant a horse has to start the circuit as a maiden and finish the week by winning the Reefton Cup.

"We knew that before he went over there," said trainer Cran Dalgety.

Despite the track turning heavy on Friday at Reefton, Cran ran the Bettor's Delight colt again after the field had reduced to only seven starters.

Photo: Bettor's Fire and Dexter Dunn,  saluted the judge first three times in five days on the West Coast grass circuit.

"It probably looked a harsh call on a three-year-old racing three times over the there," he said.

"But being a three-year-old C3, he was going to be a bit hard to place if he came back straight away and raced in Canterbury."

"Reports (from David Moore, who looked after him on the trip) were that he had done well so we decided to go again as he was basically racing the same horses, but back another 10m for Reefton."

Bettor's Fire, given a good trip handy on the outer by Dexter Dunn, didn't have an overly taxing run, overpowering his rivals wide in the straight to win easily again.

He won the 1-3 wins Rosco Contractors Handicap Pace by 1 1/4 lengths, from The Friendlyassassin and Rangi Rule.

The atrocious conditions were highighted by the time _ Bettor's Fire pacing the 2500m in the heavy conditions in 3:46.5, a slow mile rate of 2:25.7, with the leaders labouring over their last 800m in 67.8s.

He caused mild surprise on the second day at Westport, booting away in front over his last 800m in 57.7s and the last 400m in 26.5s _ easily the fastest fractions for the day.

The trip away and hardening should stand Bettor's Fire in good stead for later in the season.

Even without the bonus, the good stakes on offer on the Coast were reward in itself. The colt earned $17,375 from three appearances for breeder-owners, Jim and Susan Wakefield.

The half-brother to Empyrean and Diomedes only began racing at Ashburton during NZ Cup week in November. He has quickly racked up six wins and a second in eight starts, for $30,045 in stakes.

With 3YO handicapping concessions, he will return in the autumn on a 3-win handicap assessment.

By Jeff Scott