Brown Ben wins 2017 Tokyo City Cup Listed $100,000 at Morphettville (SA), 1800m.
In a stirring finish, Brown Ben made it six wins (his maiden stakes win) from 21 starts. He was last out of the stalls but improved slightly to be fifth (rails) of the seven runners passing the 1000m. Rider Paul Gatt moved away from the fence soon after but found himself three wide around the bend and four wide into the home straight.
Gatt worked hard and Brown Ben gradually ranged alongside the three co-leaders, pushed out by a length near the line but had to hold off a strong late challenge from Jim's Journey, who was fourth (fence) at the 800m but had nowhere to run when they straightened. Pulling wide, he didn't see daylight until the 100m and flashed into second but all too late.
Kirona was three lengths last at the 450m, tracked the winner into the straight and ran on well to grab third late.
