Bigmachwithcheese was the "big cheese" at Dresden Raceway on Sunday (July 4), cruising to a nine-length win in the $15,900 final of the Mark Austin Pacing Series.
The five-year-old Betterthancheddar gelding took advantage of some early breakers: Shadow Warrior fired out of the lead from post two for Tyler Borth, but broke and interfered with second favourite Stiletto Blue Chip and J.R. Plante. Stiletto Blue Chip came back pacing and briefly took the lead, but Bigmachwithcheese and driver Dale Spence went right to the front and never looked back.
Bigmachwithcheese wasn't challenged through fractions of :29, :57.4 and 1:27.2, coasting to victory in 1:56.2. Sir Lucknow and Marc St. Louis finished second, while Shes A Comedian and Alfie Carroll finished third.
"We are very happy with how he raced," said Spence. "He was ready and it's nice to win a race like this."
MacKenzie MacInnis owns and trains Bigmachwithcheese.
The race in memory of popular trainer Mark Austin is an annual event at Dresden Raceway for non-winners of one race or $3,000 lifetime.
"We are happy that Mark's memory stays alive here at Dresden Raceway," said Mark's widow, Julie Austin. "It's special to come here and be part of this race at Dresden."
In the afternoon's fifth race, third-generation horsewoman Emily Leak recorded her first win as a trainer, when Ynothos ($11.40) won in 1:59.2 with Preston Shaw in the bike. Leak and Shaw share ownership of the six-year-old Camystic mare.
Handle for the 10-race card was $46,558.