Harness Racing: Tom Ison wins first Garrard's Horse & Hound Tamworth City Cup behind Pitch Perfect

When the field was announced for the running of the $12,000 race on Sunday night at the Tamworth Carnival of Cups meeting there were two last start winners.

Bathurst pacer Fouroeight from the Mat Rue stables had drawn the 10 barrier and came into the race after winning the Oberon Cup at Bathurst on January 15 with a mile rate of 1.57.2 over 2260 metres.

Pitch Perfect from the Roy Roots jnr stable, and which Ison was engaged behind, was taking the eight barrier and coming off a last start win at Menangle on January 9 in 1.55.3 for 2300 metres.

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It was touted that there would be a showdown between the two runners and they didn't disappoint.

With both pacers settling at the back of the field it was Rue who made the first race move, racing three wide around the field to take up the lead in the first lap with Fouroeight.

Ison then elected to make his move around the field to then race outside Fouroeight.

"Fouroeight did a lot of work early in the race for that whole first lap where he was three deep," the former Tamworth-based driver said.

"Once he settled that was our chance to get around and get to him."

"Once we got there, we just kept him honest and got the better of him late."

Racing stride for stride out of the backstraight on the final occasion Pitch Perfect only gained the lead over the concluding stages in the home straight to come away with an eight-metre win over Fouroeight.

Warfare from the Dean Chapple stables finished third, 18.5 metres away in what was the gelding's first race start since April 2020 at Shepparton.

Ison felt that Pitch Perfect, who paid $3.80 for the win was a "moral" with Fouroeight commencing as $1.50 favourite.

"His last 1,200 metres when he won at Menangle two weeks ago was pretty impressive, he had a bit of pressure early and just kept going," he said.