The Faithful makes it three on end in Ballarat Lightning Mile

Ex-New Zealander THE FAITHFUL has stamped himself as a potential key player in major Victorian feature races after capturing the $20,000 Flying Horse Bistro Lightning Mile in Ballarat on Tuesday night.

The Amanda Turnbull-trained The Faithful ($8.60) upstaged the likes of Moonrock ($1.50 favourite) and Tee Cee Bee Macray ($3.50) in claiming a blanket finish in 1:53.4.

The six-year-old was just 0.3 seconds outside the track, set in the Lightning Mile by Smoken Up (2013) and Abbettorpunt (2014).

Reinsman David Moran, having his first drive on The Faithful, said the win – the gelding’s third on end and second in four days – opened up plenty of options in upcoming feature events through the summer.

Cant Refuse ($12.80) found the lead from gate two and with the five-horse field in single file set a moderate pace early of 29 and 29.6 seconds for the opening 800m.

With The Faithful ideally placed on the back of Cant Refuse, Anthony Butt was the first to make a move as he eased Moonrock off the pegs in fourth with 1000m to run.

However, Moonrock was never able to seriously challenge.

With Matt Craven (Cant Refuse) putting the foot down and Moonrock unable to draw up alongside him, this left the door open for The Faithful.

Moran angled off the pegs at the 200m and then surged in the last 100m to get the decision by a head after charging home in 27.7 and 27.2.

Cant Refuse held on bravely for second, with Love Ina Chevy ($29.60) charging through on the pegs for third.

Moonrock weakened for fourth, while Tee Cee Bee Macray was always well back and finished fifth.

The Faithful secured Moran and Turnbull the night’s feature double.

They also guided ELLMERS HOOFING IT ($3.70) to victory in the $10,000 VHRSC Snowball Series final, 2200m.

Andy and Kath Gath, and John and Rhys Nicholson also combined for doubles on the 11-race card

BEACH SURGE ($2.20 favourite) turned heads when he rated a track record 1:51.8 for the Gaths in a C2 pace, 1710m.

The four-year-old clashed 1.2 seconds off the previous record held set by The Culture in 2016.