3 minute read
The revered colors of the greatest trotter seen in this part of the world were carried to victory by Alrighty in the Haras Des Trotteurs Vicbred Platinum Homegrown Classic (2YO Trotting Colts & Geldings) Final at Melton.
The Andy Gath trained juvenile was driven by his wife Kate who was sporting the green and gold stars carried by the mighty Maoris Idol who defeated the pacers at Grand Circuit level during the late 1970s.
Favorite backers had their hearts in their mouths when the $1.40 favorite galloped on the first turn however Gath was able to get Alrighty down quickly before settling three back along the pegs.
Alrighty had clear use of the sprint lane in the home straight and the son of Skyvalley powered home strongly to score from Just As I Am in a mile rate of 1:58.1
Gath acknowledged the effort of the winner after the race.
"It was really satisfying because they did everything to beat us and he was still just too good," Gath said.
Gath said Alrighty found his gait post- haste after galloping when contesting the lead.
"I had to push him really hard but he got down quickly so full credit to him as he had nothing go his way," she said.
The stable completed a clean sweep of Platinum Homegrown trotting finals when Iron Women ($2.30) too sprint laned her way to victory in in the 2YO Trotting Fillies Final.
The $2.20 favorite Zipping Volstead galloped at the start ruining its winning hopes and it was left to Iron Women to grab victory on the line by half a neck from Myheartbeatstrue with No Money No Honey a metre away third.
Gath said she adopted conservative tactics on the daughter of Quaker Jet.
"It was a different move but when Nathan (Jack) galloped I feel like she is a better horse either parked or behind," she said.
"They went really slow and it's not her go to dash that quick but to her credit she got the job done."
Emma Stewart trained youngsters prevailed in the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Homegrown Classic pacing finals.
Captain Perfect chalked up the first win of his career when he led most of the way in the Colts & Geldings final in the slick time of 1:52.2.
Driver Mark Pitt said he opted to ease out of the early battle for supremacy.
"It looked like it was getting a bit tight so I elected to ease out of it and once I got clear room I thought that I would drive him like the best horse," Pitt said.
"Then I kept him rolling along strong so that it could take a bit of sting out of the speedy ones- I reckon he is one of those horses with a lot more stamina than speed at the moment," he said.
Pitt believes the son of Captaintreacherous has a future.
"He can be a little bit of a handful at times but once he works it out and has a few more runs and a let up here and there I think he is going to be a pretty serous horse," he said.
Looks Perfect, an easy heat winner, proved too strong for her rivals after sitting parked in the Fillies Final defeating stable mate Ill Be Gone in a mile rate of 1:55.3.
Pitt said he had to guide the daughter of Always B Miki around the home turn.
"She is still very green and I had to get her around the bend safe before I could really let her go, she was jogging at the time but I had to nurse her around but once I hit the straight I gave her full tilt and she went," he said.
"I really think that she is one of the fillies that we are looking out for in the future."