Pans Illusion does it again 23 / 02 / 2010

BRIGHTON harness trainer Phillip Ford must get a buzz every morning when he arrives at the stables to work a team that could net him the trainer's premiership.

He has about 25 horses in work of which almost half are owned by Garry Rogers who has invested heavily in both Tasmania and Ford.

The latest member of Rogers' team to show up is Pans Illusion that scored a courageous win in the Strammit Building Products Prelude at Tattersall's Park in Hobart on Monday night.

Driver Scott Ford opted to allow the gelding to e4ase from his wide draw and find his feet off the gate but once settled in his gear he sent the six-year-old around the field to face the breeze outside of Topup.

Topup still had something to give turning for home but when Ford called on Pans Illusion for the supreme effort the gelding cruised to the front and had enough in reserve to stave off late challenges from Down Town Babe and Springvale Flyer.

"This horse has done a good job since he arrived in December," trainer Ford said

"This is his fourth win for us and hopefully there's more in store." he said.

Pans Illusion clocked a mile rate of 1.59.4 with a slick last half (800m) of 1.56.9.

"This horse can show a doog turn of foot and his last half showed that tonight," he said

Ford is contemplating throwing the gelding in at the deep end and head him to the Devonport Cup in a fortnight.

"He's got the final of this race series next Sunday so if he goes well in that then we might look at the Devonport Cup because he's strong and will stay all day, so the Cup distance (3040m) shouldn't be a problem," he said.

While Pans Illusion was impressive, there also was a lot to like about the way Down Town Babe finished off her race.

She again made a mistake early in the race but finished off magnificently, as she did at her previous start in Launceston.

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