Tornado Valley may head to New Zealand for a crack at the feature Kiwi trot races next month before returning home for the TAB Inter Dominion Trotting Championship after winning tonight’s Group 1 Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Sprint at Tabcorp Park Melton.
First-up from a spell, Tornado Valley was aided by a 10-out-of-10 Kate Gath drive, going hard enough early for potential pest Conon Bridge to drop on to her steed’s back.
“I thought if I keep on running through early it’s a chance of dropping on my back and that made a big difference. As soon as he did, I was able to ease the tempo straight away,” Gath said.
Tornado Valley trotted his first split in 29.3 and his second in 31.1, which forced major danger Kyvalley Blur to launch from the back earlier than he would have liked, and the rest was elementary.
Tornado Valley got home in 56 seconds.
Dance Craze rattled home into second place for Anton Golino and Rodney Petroff, while Kyvalley Blur sustained his long effort to finish in third.
Tornado Valley’s mile rate was 1:55.7.
“I think he’ll be good with a sit as well,” Kate Gath said when asked about Tornado Valley’s plans in coming months.
“I don’t think he has to be driven this way (tonight). At home, he’s really good with a sit. I think he’s versatile.”
Tornado Valley – a son of Skyvalley – is now the clear TAB Inter Dominion Trotting Championship favourite.
Representing race sponsor Aldebaran Park, Duncan McPherson remarked “to see Skyvalley sire the winner is a great thrill for us”. Skyvalley stands at Aldebaran Park.
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