The Emma Stewart-trained freshman Cardigan Sniper made it back-to-back feature race wins at Melton when he took out the Benstud Standardbred Youthful Stakes (2YO Colts and Geldings) on Saturday night.
Cardigan Sniper was successful in the APG (2YO Colts & Geldings) Final at his previous start at headquarters.
Sent out a $2.20 favourite, the promising juvenile worked to the lead with 1600 metres to travel before treating racegoers to an impersonation of a contortionist during the final 600 metres of the race.
Cardigan Sniper turned his head at right angles on several occasions as driver Mark Pitt attempted to keep the son of Ultimate Sniper’s mind on the race.
Cardigan Sniper focused on the job at hand in the home straight to score by two metres from stablemate Some High in a mile rate of 1:56.1.
Pitt said the result was never in doubt once the winner concentrated in the run to the line.
“You always worry with this guy as he is a big, lazy horse and takes a bit of driving, but he was playing around with his mouth tonight… once he heard them get to the inside, he really powered away,” Pitt said.
Pitt acknowledged the task ahead as Cardigan Sniper attempts to build on his feature-race record.
“He’s a very nice horse and once the penny drops, we’re going to see a better horse. I’m sure it’s going to get a little bit tougher leading into the Sires as we’re going to get some great opposition,” he said.
Members of the Ballarat and District Trotting Club Standardbred Group found themselves in the winner’s stall after the Geoff Webster-trained filly La Cantatrice outstayed her rivals in the Benstud Standardbreds Youthful Stakes (2YO Fillies).
Despite sitting parked outside the leader and $1.90 favourite Onelook, La Cantatrice ($3.20) dug deep in the home straight to reel in the popular elect to score by two-and-a-half metres in a mile rate of 1:57.5.
Driver Ewa Justice was impressed with the courage shown by the winner and predicts a bright future for the daughter of Poster Boy.
“It was a really brave win by her as the second placegetter appeared to have her measure on the turn, but she fought really hard to the line…,” Justice said.
Earlier in the night, the Stewart-prepared four-year-old Fairplay chalked up his fourth-successive win at Melton when he scored with authority in the Prydes Easifeed Pace.
The son of Rocknroll Heaven gave nothing else a chance as he reeled off a 54.9 last 800 metres while holding a four-metre margin on the line from the in-form Hoorah Philtra in a mile rate of 1:52.8.
Pitt continued his recent stellar form at Melton with a quartet of wins after also being successful on Vici Bloom – trained his wife Lisa – and the Stewart-prepared Apollostorm, who sprint-laned his way to victory in the Garrards Horse and Hound Pace.
James Herbertson landed a winning double at the meeting on the Justin Lane-trained The Naked Art in the opening event, along with the Chris Angove-prepared Regal Gala in the Swift Signs 2YO Trot.
In recent months, Pitt has closed the gap on Herbertson in the Metropolitan Drivers’ Premiership as the tussle appears set to go down to the wire for this season’s honours.
