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Five To Midnight wins 2017 Winning Edge Hawke’s Bay Cup Listed NZ$75,000 at Hastings (NZ) , 2200m.
Consistency won through for Five To Midnight, who deserved this win, his first at stakes level on top of several group and stakes placings. Rider Danielle Johnson settled him fifth (rails) with a circuit to run and they held a similar position at the 1200m. The field compressed passing the 600m but Five To Midnight covered no extra ground and was camped in behind the leading group near the last corner. Into the straight and Johnson moved out, took a few strides to balance, ranged up to take over inside the 200m then drew clear to win convincingly by two lengths.
Maygrove made his run from fourth at the 800m, ran up three wide to co-lead from the top of the straight to the 200m but was outstayed.
Balham led to the last corner, co-led to the 200m and held on quite well for third, the first three being well clear of the remainder.