Emerging stars Aldebaran Zeus and Just A Bit Touchy, both graduates of the Australasian Premier Trotting Sale, received Vancleve Awards for Australian 3YO Trotting Colt of the Year and 2YO Trotting Filly of the Year respectively.
Both were Breeders Crown champions and placegetters in their Vicbred Super Series finals.
Aldebaran Zeus, a colt by the American sire Muscle Hill from the Swedish mare Zoia Boko, won six of his 12 starts and $118,240 and was the highest stakemoney winner for his age, gait and sex. He also won the Group 1 APTS 3YO Trot Final and finished runner-up in the Victoria Trotters Derby and The Holmfield.
Aldebaran Zeus was bred and owned by Aldebaran Park and is raced on lease by Aldebaran Park, Danny and Melinda Thackeray and Tracie Cullen. The colt is prepared by Matt Craven.
Just A Bit Touchy, a daughter of Father Patrick USA and Gypsy Flair, emerged successful in four of her nine starts for $77,380 – a season’s high for her age, gait and sex.
The filly was bred by Dean and Blanche Poole, is owned by the Big Wookie Racing Group, L. A. McMillan, R. D. Smart, Clayton Tonkin and Ben Prentice and trained by Emma Stewart.
Two graduates of the 2017 APTS sale to win at Albion Park recently were Tam O’Shanter and Rigondeaux. The former has won five races on end.
