By PAUL COURTS, National Trotguide IT was an all-local affair in Sunday night's Wangaratta Pacing Cup. Proving too good despite her second-row draw, Tizzy Lizzie is bred, owned, trained and driven by a 'home crew'. Former club committeeman Bernie Blackshaw bred the mare along with his wife, Marg, while Peter Romero prepares the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven. Topping off the local connection was young reinsman Harry O'Neill. "It is always good to see a local win, especially one of the big races and even more especially when it's us," Romero said. "I know Bernie has a strong connection to the club and I am rapt for him and Marg." Caught two back along the pegs as Sunstar worked to the lead from barrier six, Tizzy Lizzie received a minor check along the back straight before gaining a saloon passage along the inside. Angled three-wide around the final bend, Tizzy Lizzie reached the front in the final stride to score by a half-neck from Our Cheeky Devil. Sassyola was three metres away third in 1:58.6 over 2210 metres. "It was a great win - earlier in the week I told Harry I think we can win this,” Romero said. "I wasn't saying she was a certainty, I just felt this could be her night and thankfully it was. "Once she got motoring she hit the line strongly and got there just in time." Romero is no stranger to glory in the Cup, having won the 2016 edition with former rising star Wingara. With his career cut short after 13 wins and two placings from 18 starts, Wingara's victories also include the George Croxford Tribute, which is a Listed Classic, in Wangaratta in 2015. "It's been a while since I won the Cup, so it is great to be on the honour roll again," Romero said. In other results, a horse not worth feeding rewarded connections for their faith last night. Subject of a nasty comment from a bitter individual, Abitofadreamer gave trainer Kim Procter the last laugh by capturing the Wangaratta Trotters' Cup. Having his fifth start back after an 11-month absence from the races due to a serious suspensory injury, Abitofadreamer claimed the feature in track record time. In doing so, the son of Used To Me also provided Procter with her dream of winning a Cup. "I couldn't be prouder of him," Procter said. "I was devastated when he injured his suspensory and it has been a long road back. "He spent seven months in a small paddock, then had a slow and steady build up. "I have to thank Ray and Deb Pace for helping with his leg when he first injured it and the vet Nick Robson for his ongoing advice." Driven to perfection by Mark Pitt, Abitofadreamer led throughout from the pole to score by 18 metres from Noble Count, which was gallant after racing in the 'death seat'. Three-wide from the bell, Paris Kay battled on to be four metres away third. Rating 2:00.9 over 2210 metres, Abitofadreamer slashed 2.2 seconds from The Majestic's track record set exactly five years earlier. "I have been happy with each of his runs this time in as he has improved with each start," Procter said. "He always takes a few starts to get to his peak, and he won a trial early in the week, so I knew he was ready to run a big race. "That said, Mark drove him faultlessly and certainly got the best out of him. "I've always wanted to win a Cup, so last night was a dream come true for me. "I moved from South Australia to Victoria five years ago, but I still received a message from an old work colleague saying she remembers how much I wanted to win a Cup." As for the nasty comment, Procter admits the statement took its toll on her confidence, but is grateful for the support from those at the stable where she trains. "I was told it was a waste of money feeding him as I'm not capable of ever getting him right or going well enough again," Procter said. "Those remarks can hit hard, but I used it as motivation instead, so I guess I can thank that person. "I've got my confidence back with driving him in fast work and am just relaxed about taking care of him. "Paul, Annie, Kevin and Joey at the stable have been great as has Jodi (Quinlan), who usually drives him, for giving me a 'well done' knowing I've been working him as Jodi knows he can get worked up and pull at times. "A lot of trainers and drivers cop these unnecessary comments be it on social media or straight out abuse and it is a shame, because not only is everyone doing their best, you don't know what effects such remarks can have on the recipient."
