Potentially lost on some during Saturday night’s epic Victoria Derby heat stoush between Captain Ravishing and Leap To Fame was the time recorded throughout the final section of the race.
Emma Stewart’s charge sat parked to Grant Dixon’s star colt, and despite showing major signs of greenness, managed to get the better of the Queensland raider in what was one of the fastest last half miles ever recorded at Tabcorp Park Melton.
The two three-year-olds duelled it out in final quarters of 26.8sec and 26.6sec for an overall closing time of 53.4sec.
It ranked as the equal third sharpest last half on record at Victorian harness racing headquarters since the track opened in 2009.
Topping the list is Ride High’s demolition job during the Rod Osborne Pace in June 2020 when the Stewart-trained speed machine clocked 52.7sec in his near-30m win.
That race was over the 1720m sprint trip, with Captain Ravishing’s recent performance amazingly coming at the end of the 2760m journey of the Derby.
There’s just one last half that ranks above it over the Melton long trip and that’s Lochinvar Art’s A.G. Hunter Cup triumph of 2021.
This race sits second overall, with David Moran’s champ powering clear to thrash a Group 1 field in a rapid 53.2sec.
Chilli Palmer’s win in the 4YO Bonanza of 2014 and Beach Life’s Woodlands Stud 3YO Pace success in March this year sit equal with Captain Ravishing’s 53.4sec last half.
Captain Ravishing’s three runs for the Stewart camp have all included electric closing splits, with a 25.1sec final quarter at Ballarat on September 9 proving one of the quickest ever recorded in Australia before a track record-breaking display over the Kilmore 2180m on September 23.
He will start from barrier 10 in Saturday night’s Downbytheseaside Victoria Derby Final, with Leap To Fame off the front in gate five.
The race is one of four Group 1s on the Melton card and is scheduled for 8.33pm.
TOP 10 FASTEST LAST HALVES AT MELTON
20/06/2020 VALE ROD OSBORNE PACE (1720m) RIDE HIGH – 52.7
6/02/2021 DEL-RE NATIONAL A G HUNTER CUP (GROUP 1) (2760m) LOCHINVAR ART – 53.2
8/02/2014 GARRARDS 4YO BONANZA (GROUP 3) (1720m) CHILLI PALMER – 53.4
5/03/2022 WOODLANDS STUD 3YO PACE (1720m) BEACH LIFE – 53.4
1/10/2022 DOWNBYTHESEASIDE VICTORIA DERBY (2ND HEAT) (2760m) CAPTAIN RAVISHING – 53.4
4/07/2020 MELTON CITY COUNCIL SPRINT (1720m) RIDE HIGH – 53.6
9/11/2019 COGS 4YO & 5YO CHAMPIONSHIP (GROUP 2) (2240m) RIDE HIGH – 53.7
25/01/2020 ALABAR 4YO BONANZA (GROUP 1) (1720m) LOCHINVAR ART – 53.7
28/01/2017 EYNESBURY VICTORIA CUP (GROUP 1) (2240m) LAZARUS – 53.8
3/09/2016 CITY OF MELTON PLATE XXVIII (GROUP 3) (1720m) HECTORJAYJAY – 53.8
