Aussie Group One winner too good in USA

AGRESSIVE tactics achieved the desired result with former Aussie pacer Im Sir Blake yesterday.

Competing at Oak Grove Racing, Im Sir Blake was pushed forward from by barrier three by Atlee Bender to settle behind This Kit Rocks into the first quarter, which was covered in 27.4 seconds.

With the pacemaker attempting to steal a 'breather', Bender made what proved to be the wining move by taking Im Sir Blake to the front.

Never seriously challenged from that point, the son of Alta Christiano completed a length victory from This Kit Rocks.

New Zealand-bred gelding Ohoka Chopper was a length away third.

Trained by Erv Miller, Im Sir Blake covered the mile in 1:51.2 register his 29th win from 94 starts.

Miller and Bender then combined to capture the Fillies' and Mares' Open Pace with another Aussie-bred, The Pantheist.

Scoring in 1:50.4, The Pantheist accounted for Rockin Nola and Rose Run Vantage

The seven-year-old was a Group One winner in her homeland when prepared by David Miles.