Cusdmagicdragon ($2.40) lived up to fives-on billing on Wednesday night (Nov. 18) and posted a repeat victory in the featured $8,100 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Fraser Downs.
She and Paperback Thriller — who had drawn for the two outside posts in the field of six — promptly overcame their gate disadvantage and strode out together to vie for the early lead. Cusdmagicdragon and trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt seated Paperback Thriller (Allan Molloy) in the pocket through a :28.4 first quarter and continued on to rate middle splits of :58.1 and 1:27 while uncontested. Cusdmagicdragon's stablemate Dreamers Delight (Scott Knight) attempted to advance first-over up the backstretch, but faded after she made a brief bid for second and enabled Paperback Thriller to pull the pocket upon cornering for home.
Despite having a fresh challenger to her outside, Cusdmagicdragon found the line in time, prevailing by a diminishing half length in 1:55.1 while driven out. Runner-up Paperback Thriller was 5-1/4 lengths better than the ground-saving Hanks Mystress (Tony Kerwood), who finished third.
It was the fourth win in nine starts this year for Cusdmagicdragon, a five-year-old daughter of Custard The Dragon whom Hoerdt co-owns with Blair and Erna Corbeil.
The feature win was the centrepiece of a training and driving triple for Hoerdt, who also won with Watch Me Boogie ($3.00, 1:58.2) and Thankyaverymuch ($3.10, 1:56.2).
To view Wednesday's full results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Fraser Downs.