The Emma Stewart-trained duo of Oliver Dan and Fox Dan enhanced their Inter Dominion rankings after providing the quinella in the free-for-all pace at Melton on Saturday night.
Ryan Sanderson, on the $1.85 favourite Fox Dan, elected to surrender the lead to Oliver Dan ($3) shortly after the start and James Herbertson was allowed to dictate the terms of the race to suit himself on the leader.
The race subsequently developed into a sprint home, with Oliver Dan managing to stave off Fox Dan by a metre in a slick 26.4 last 400 metres.
Oliver Dan has now won his past two starts at Melton and is heading north in the right vein of form according to Herbertson.
“He’s had the right trip two weeks in a row, and it just proves that he’s well and truly going well enough,” Herbertson said.
“He’s going into it in a good place, and he should well and truly hold his own up there that’s for sure.”
Oliver Dan is ranked 29 and Fox Dan 34 after the third rankings were released last Wednesday.
Oliver Dan’s triumph was the second leg of a winning quartet for Stewart, who also prepared The Art Of Success for a fifth consecutive victory in the Hip Pocket Castlemaine Pace.
The Art Of Success ($1.25 fav) speared out from the pole to easily hold the lead and was untroubled in scoring by five metres from Le Belle Bijoux in a mile rate of 1:55.9.
Driver Mark Pitt said the mare handled the step-up in class and distance with aplomb.
“The step-up in distance was no concern, but it is hard when you jump up in class very quickly as she has taken on some quality opposition,” Pitt said.
“I’m sure there would be some big races mapped out for her and the way she’s going you could see her pop up and pick up a nice race.”
Lightly-raced three-year-old Dynamitedan provided both Stewart and Herbertson their fourth winners of the night when he led all the way in the final event.
Sent out the $1.40 favourite, Dynamitedan careered away from his rivals in the home straight with a 26.6 last 400 metres to score by seven metres from Keayang Sweetheart.
Herbertson was suitably impressed after his first drive behind the son of Somebeachsomewhere.
“He ran home in 26.6 and he was in second gear. He’s a lovely little horse,” Herbertson said.
The result also brought up a winning double for prominent owner Danny Zavitsanos, who also races both Oliver Dan and Fox Dan.
Group 1-winning trotter I Am Wilma completed back-to-back wins at Melton when she took out the Prydes EasiFeed Free For All Trot.
I Am Wilma enjoyed the run of the race behind leader Im Bobby before driver Chris Alford eased the mare into the sprint lane, and the daughter of Father Patrick got the verdict by half a head on the line.
Despite downing a field which included reigning Inter Dominion champion Arcee Pheonix, I Am Wilma is looming as unlikely to contest next month’s series in Brisbane.
“I think the thought is to wait another year and leave her here for the Sires Stakes,” Alford said.
