Lots to digest from another big weekend around the tracks, but the highlight is undoubtedly Sparkling Success, who heads to the US for the $1 million Yonkers International Trot (October 13) later this week.

Let’s get into it with this week's edition of the Catch-Up.

 

US bound trotter in Sparkling form

Australia’s best trotter flies out to the United States later this week in sparkling form for his tilt at the $1 million Yonkers International Trot on October 13.

John Meade-trained Sparkling Success couldn’t have impressed more in Saturday night’s Garrards Maori’s Idol Trotters Free for All over 1720m, death-seating to beat Kyvalley Blur by 3.4m in a 1:55.9 rate.

The victory was Sparkling Success’s second straight following his triumph in the Breeders Crown Graduate late last month.

Regular reinsman Chris Svanosio will accompany Sparkling Success on his States sojourn.

ALL CLEAR: CHRIS SVANOSIO AND ALL OF SATURDAY NIGHT'S WINNERS:

 

On the move

Sultan Fella and Hes Okey Dokey were both claimed in this year’s HERO Battle of the Claimers Final.

With Gusto won the 1720m event on Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Melton, trainer Graeme Dalton combining with leading driver Chris Alford to rate 1:55.1.

With Gusto defeated Major Kiwi, whose trainer Robert Caruso has a long history of bringing horses to Victoria for claimers.

 

Chart-topping Puppet

Chris Alford finished the weekend on 15 wins, seven clear of his nearest competitor, South Australia’s Wayne Hill, on the national drivers’ premiership.

Prior to today Alford has had 34 starts this season and boasts a 44.12 per cent winning rate and a 76.47 per cent place rate.

Adam Richardson and Brendan Barnes are equal third on the national charts, both on seven wins, while Kate Gath has won six races from 18 race starts and is next.

 

Mate takes The Gammalite

My Kiwi Mate arrived in time to win The Gammalite on Saturday night, overhauling Magical Marn in 1:55.2 after coming from last at the 400m.

The Craig Demmler trained and driven seven-year-old son of Bettors Delight looped the field out extremely wide at the final bend, sprinting strongly in the straight.

It would be no surprise to see My Kiwi Mate headed towards the Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup next month and the Inter Dominion series in December.

And with a host of country cups on the horizon, this pacer’s stocks are on the rise.

The win brought up a metro double for Demmler, who also won the first race – the DNR Logistics Pace – with Jodi Quinlan in the sulky.

 

Alpha Rock goes 1:49.5

My Alpha Rock made it four wins straight on Saturday night at Menangle, breaking 1:50 to win the McLaren Real Estate Pace over 1609m.

The Shane and Lauren Tritton-trained son of Rock N Roll Heaven went 1:49.5 with Lauren Tritton in the gig to upstage Shannonsablast by 3.6m.

Co-trainer Shane Tritton confirmed last week the Victoria Cup and Inter Dominion were both part of the plan for My Alpha Rock in coming months.

 

Turnbull Star takes G3

Joes Star Of Mia won the Group 3 Dahua Group Final on Saturday night at Menangle for Steve Turnbull.

The five-year-old son of Roll With Joe had a narrow margin on Vega Star at the finish to notch his 12th win from 39 starts.

The G3 success was the second leg of a winning double for Turnbull on the night, who also achieved success with El Gran Senor in the Mac Pac HR Pace.

 

Double for Damo

Damian Wilson took two horses to Leeton on Saturday night and both won.

Bushi took out the TAB Pace, defeating Gary Lang-trained pair Fat George and Flaneur, before Leakys Smokin made it a Wilson double in the Coprice Feeds Pace.

 

Treble for Lewis

Chris Lewis enjoyed a night out at Bunbury, racking up a treble on Saturday night.

The reinsman piloted Alkira Quattro Jet, Zara Whitby and Major Artist all to victory for three separate trainers – Vaness Brockman, Edwin Dewar and Terry Ferguson.

Aiden De Campo drove a double at the same program.

 

Platinum performances

The Empire Stallions Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic three-year-old pacing heats were run and won at Lords Raceway Bendigo on Friday night.

Leading trainer Emma Stewart combined with reinsman Chris Alford to win both the fillies’ heats.

Tiger Storm, a daughter of Art Major, narrowly held out stablemate Tina Calls, while Beach Babe Nikky – by Somebeachsomewhere – had 1.6m to spare over Izzy Jolie in their heat.

Ahmed Taiba produced Zoliver to win the colts and geldings’ first heat, the son of Mach Three causing a boil-over to beat $1.10 favourite Always Fast.

Art Major colt Malcolms Rhythm, for David Aiken and Kima Frenning, won the second heat.

But it was Dream Over, and more notably trainer Kartrina Frizpatrick, who stole the show on the night when the three-year-old Andover Hall gelding won the Steels Deals 3YO & Olders Trotters Handicap.

The victory prompted a glorious celebration by Fitzpatrick, which was captured by fellow trainer Andy Gath and sent the Twittersphere into a frenzy, attracting 70,000 viewers and counting.

 

Chief sent home a winner

Whenmechief exits Western Australia a winner, taking out the fourth race at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The eight-year-old son of Stoneridge Regal rated 2mins flat for trainer Michael Brennan and driver Michael Grantham in the 2536m contest.

Whenmechief won two races during his WA stay.

 

 

No slowing this Mustang down

Handy five-year-old Mustang Bart won his 13th race at start No.55 at Newcastle on Friday night.

Owned by Victoria’s Gary Barton, Mustang Bart has covered plenty of ground throughout his career, racing in Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.

He’s now based in NSW with KerryAnn Turner, who drove the son of Gotta Go Cullect to victory at the weekend as a $1.20 favourite.