Tonto wins 2016 Evoke Media-Ascot Gold Cup Listed $100,000 at Ascot (WA) 3yo+, 1800m.
Tonto, having his third run this preparation, appreciate the step up to 1800m in winning here. He began well from his wide barrier (11), soon moved up to settle in second place, behind a very steady pace (first 1200m 1:16.93). He moved up to challenge the leader (Bedamijo) at the 200m and finished a bit too well score to score a good win.
The nine-year-old mare Bedamijo went to the front, slowed the pace before picking up the tempo from the 600m. She held a good break at the 200m and then fought back well for second, just finding the winner a bit too strong in the closing stages.
Dark Alert was a handy third, one off the rails, put in a run at the home turn and kept fighting on to take third.
The favourite Chocolate Holic settled back in eighth place, made a wide move coming to the home turn and kept making ground, without threatening for (3.8 lengths) sixth after being disadvantaged by the slow early pace.
