The rollercoaster-like ride Top Pocket Chance has taken trainer Craig Buchan on hit another peak with the horse’s brilliant win at Wyndham yesterday.
Top Pocket Chance broke a run of outs with the win after missing a placing in trotting races since his victory at $18 odds at Timaru in April.
But true to the form that the 10yr-old has shown throughout his six seasons on the track, the Mosgiel gelding pulled out an excellent performance to make up for his scratchy recent efforts with a strong front-running display.
"It has been a long time coming, between races, but on his day he does have some ability," Buchan said.
"Some races he has been a long way back out of it, and you wouldn’t think he could make up the ground that he does. But he likes to keep going and he is a trier, he doesn’t like to give up.
"That was his 11th win as a trotter and he is bred to pace so it is not bad going."
Top Pocket Chance did not win like a $20 shot, with driver Matthew Williamson driving the horse more like a $2 favourite.
But the reinsman had a plan to drive the horse to his strengths.
"He is one of those horses that in that grade, if he behaves himself, he is probably better than most," Williamson said.
Top Pocket Chance has not been out of the money completely since his last win.
The dual-gaited veteran placed in a pacing race at Ascot in June.
Buchan switched the horse to pacing because his horse was not comfortable in his trotting gait, before then switching him back two starts ago.
"There seem to be a few horses doing it at the moment," Buchan said.
Top Pocket Chance’s Wyndham win gave Buchan victory number 180 in his training career.
Having retired from full-time training, the Mosgiel trainer is working one other horse alongside Top Pocket Chance.
