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Conqueror proves tough nut in WA Pacing Cup

Headshot of Justin Fris
Justin FrisSouth Western Times
Dylan Egerton-Green got plenty out of his winning WA Pacing Cup experience.
Camera IconDylan Egerton-Green got plenty out of his winning WA Pacing Cup experience. Credit: Justin Fris

Victorious Tabtouch WA Pacing Cup reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green believes he learnt plenty from Mighty Conqueror’s triumph at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Despite having won once over his past six starts heading into the group one feature, the Harvey born and raised sensation piloted the five-year-old to perfection for Greg and Skye Bond.

“From the draw, I thought he would run a really good race,” he said. “Although I thought I probably was not a winning chance unless a bit of luck went my way.

“I had to do it pretty tough but he showed me he was a little bit tougher than we thought he would be in free-for-all company.

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“However on the night he was tougher than them all and outstayed them.”

Outside of the industry, many onlookers may have seen the early duel between Mighty Conqueror and Vampiro at the head of the field as standard — however for Egerton-Green, it meant toppling his boss Colin Brown, who was out to avenge the six-year-old’s runner-up performance in the Retravision Fremantle Pacing Cup (2536m) a week earlier.

“I was sort of reluctant to let him go,” Egerton-Green said. “He sort of forced his way to the top and I had to race without cover.

“I thought once Vampiro got to the front he would be very hard to beat but fortunately for us we were able to out-tough it.”

It was a feel-good story for South West pacing with Egerton-Green (Harvey), Bailey McDonough (Bunbury) and Aiden De Campo (Capel) all finishing in the top four, and the quartet having learnt their craft as kids when they would compete in pony trots.

“It was real good for young people who started from the bottom, worked their way up and have been quite successful in what we do,” Egerton-Green said. “I’ve also been pretty fortunate that a good stable has been able to put me on and it makes it a lot easier when you are driving quality horses.”

Although he enjoyed Friday’s win, Egerton-Green is keen to take each race as it comes. “I was quite fortunate on Friday night as well because after it I trainer/drove my horse Tyler Brett to a win as well,” he said. “It is always good to train winners but it takes time and education. You learn a lot as you go.

“I do not mind driving for everyone and I just enjoy whatever I can, when I can.”

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