They call trotting the international gait and so it was this weekend, with the running of the Hambletonian for three-year-olds in the US and, locally, the annual Seelite Windows and Doors Redwood Classic and Victoria Trotters Derby for two and three-year-olds respectively at Maryborough.
Meanwhile, out west the Bull continued his run with another win – as the debate fired up on social media about just where he stands in the ID18 discussion – and a veteran trotter showed once again that his Trotting ID18 price might just be overs.
US – Atlanta first filly since ’96 to win Hambo
Atlanta became the first filly since 1996 to win the prestigious $1million Hambletonian at the weekend for father and son combination Rick and Scott Zeron.
It was driver Scott’s second Hambletonian win in three years, piloting Marion Marauder to success in 2016, while it was trainer Rick’s maiden Hambo triumph.
Atlanta wired her three-year-old trotting rivals in 1:50.4, rewarding the Zerons for electing to bypass the Hambletonian Oaks in search of the top gong.
“She’s the best horse I’ve ever drove,” Scott Zeron said.
“It’s unbelievable. I’ve got no words,” an emotional Rick Zeron said,
The Hambletonian Oaks ($500,000) was taken out by Yannick Gingras aboard Manchego in 1:50.0, delivering a fifth straight victory in the three-year-old fillies’ classic for trainer Jimmy Takter.
Winner of yesterday’s $1M @Hambletonian_ Final @TheMeadowlands driver @scottzeron talks about the greatness of 3YO filly ATLANTA (Chapter Seven) his strategy in the Final & what this win means for his family. #CanadaProud pic.twitter.com/Om6Ga7BqhF
— HR (@harnessreplays) August 6, 2018
Vic – Miles takes Redwood Classic with pacing bred filly
Owner Emilio Rosati was in the USA for the Hambletonian at the weekend but back in Australia his two-year-old Bettors Delight filly Emerald Stride won the Seelite Windows and Doors Redwood Classic at Maryborough.
Overcoming a back-row draw in the juvenile standing start race for trotters, Emerald Stride – trained and driven by David Miles – began powerfully and challenged for the lead before landing the coveted trail for the bulk of the journey stalking race favourite Always Ready.
Up the stretch, Miles lifted Emerald Stride along the sprint lane to register a 1.3m win in 2:05.5.
“Unbelievable. I was having a look on Friday at the honour roll for this race and some great trainers and drivers have won it. To be amongst them now is really special,” Miles said.
The winning reinsman’s salute encapsulated his feelings.
ONE OF YOUR GREATEST DRIVES EVER DAVID #MILESRACING barrier 12 to behind the leader from a standing start and a fullfield MAMMOTH training effort as well 20/10 EMERALD STRIDE https://t.co/V1pHmT5oeV
— Tom Hogan (@gothevikings) August 5, 2018
Vic – Stress Factor all the way in Derby
Stress Factor is 2/2 in Australia after winning Sunday’s $75,000 Group 1 Seelite Windows and Doors Victoria Trotters Derby at Maryborough.
Chris Alford sent the $2 race favourite to the front early and set a controlled speed aboard the Brent Lilley-trained gelding to win in 2:03.3.
Kyvalley Finn was the only rival to give the favourite any kind of scare, finishing hard along the sprint lane to draw within a half-head late.
Stress Factor You beauty #TrottersDerby pic.twitter.com/Z8ETinxGJb
— John Wilkinson (@JohnWilkinson47) August 5, 2018
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Vic – Blur throws down the gauntlet
Timing is everything in racing, and for Kyvalley Blur, whose form belies his age, the fact the return of the Trotting Inter Dominion Championship this year bodes well.
The 10-year-old won yesterday’s Peter Egan Bi-Rite Electrical Trotters Free for All at Maryborough, upstaging Yonkers International Trot aspirant Sparkling Success by over 10m in 1:59.5.
Champion driver Chris Alford’s mid-race move to put Kyvalley Blur to the front paid off in spades.
The Inter Dominion markets are open at tab.com.au and Kyvalley Blur remains at $21.
Vic – Domino standing enhanced
San Domino’s rise continued on Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Melton, the Kari Males-trained four-year-old taking out the first of two Empire Stallions Vicbred Championship heats in easy fashion.
Rating 1:57.8, San Domino had 7.4m on runner-up Makes Every Scents at the completion of the 2240m trip. The Kari Males-trained son of Somebeachsomewhere has won five of his last seven.
Islandspecialmajor won the second of the Championship heats for Brent Lilley and Josh Duggan in 1:58.2, defeating Illawong Maestro by 2m with Pay Rise third.
Earlier at Melton Ian Stanley and Michael Stanley combined to take out the Always B Miki Graduate at huge odds with Rackemup Tigerpie ($42.40).
Audi Hare won the Blacks A Fake Free for All for David Aiken and David Moran by a head over Berisari in the fast-class race of the night in 1:53.9 over 1720m.
Empire treble at @Tabcorp_Park Melton over the weekend – THE STORM INSIDE (#RockrnollHanover), SAN DOMINO (#Somebeachsomewhere) & NIFTY JOLT (#VillageJolt) all in over the line first
— Empire Stallions (@EmpireStallions) August 6, 2018
Vic – Storm force
Unbeaten star The Storm Inside is now 11/11 after taking out the Garrards Horse & Hound Pace Final for Emma Stewart and Chris Alford at Melton.
The four-year-old Rocknroll Hanover entire had over 15m on nearest rival Persimmon, producing a 1:56.3 mile rate.
Alford took driving honours at headquarters with a winning treble (Whirily School won the DNR Logistics Pace and With Gusto took out the HERO Claiming Pace).
Qld – No cracking the Code
Victorian three-year-old Code Bailey continues to shine in the sunshine state, the Ross Pike-trained son of Christian Cullen nothing a second win in a fortnight at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Driven by Danielle McMullen, Code Bailey defeated Major Occasion by 1.7m.
WA – Bull dominance continues
ID18 favourite Chicago Bull has won five races on the spin, capping the handful of victories on Friday night in the Follow Gloucester Park on Facebook Pace.
The win wasn’t as comfortable a watch as punters might have liked, Chicago Bull parked before taking a while to overhaul cheeky pacemaker Devendra, who wasn’t going down without a tussle.
Chicago Bull has top billing in Inter Dominion betting charts, but hearty debate on social media in recent times has centred on the fact he’s yet to leave WA.
He has his passport booked for New Zealand later this year though, for a tilt at the NZ Cup, and then Victoria to take on the best in the ID18 from December 1.
He’s done it again; four wins back-to-back, this time from the breeze on a wet track.
Chicago Bull once again shows why he is being touted at Australia’s Best Pacer… #WAHarness
@scottyhamilton pic.twitter.com/nXEDpZ601K
— RWWA Harness (@RWWA_Harness) August 3, 2018
