A stunning final 800 metres in 55.4 seconds paved the way for the commanding win of brilliant Ballarat youngster The Lost Storm in the opening heat of the Vicbred Super Series for two-year-old colts and geldings at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
After working to the front 400 metres from the mobile dispatch, the Captaintreacherous colt and top seed for the classic reeled off sectionals of 30.5, 29.9, 28.4 and 27 on his way to an 8.6m success.
The winning mile rate of 1:55 for 2190m was only 0.9 outside the track record held by Hurricane Harley.
It was his fifth success from only seven attempts and spiked his earnings to $68,560.
Little Louie, who sat parked throughout, held on gamely for second.
Dougs Platter, trained by Geoff Webster, outsprinted the warm favourite Rock Artist after receiving a perfect trip from Chris Alford in the second heat.
A son of Betterthancheddar, Dougs Platter rated 1:58.4 in posting his fourth win.
Perfect Class, expertly driven by Kerryn Manning, led home an Emma Stewart quadrella in the third heat. After spotting the leaders a tidy start in the back straight, the Captaintreacherous colt unleashed a devastating finishing rally to relegate Don Hugo, Our Vinnie and Hestheonetowatch into the minor placings.
It was his third win from seven starts.
Sweet Bella and Vee Em Gee Macray, both daughters of Woodlands Stud sire Sweet Lou, overcame difficult barrier draws and wide passages to win their respective heats.
Sweet Bella, second last on settling down, was sent forward three-wide in the middle stages to race upsides with the leader and stablemate Spring Blue for the last lap. She powered away at the finish to keep her unbeaten record in tact.
Vee Em Gee Macray, trained by Jess Tubbs and driven by Bailey McDonough, circled the entire field in the last lap to prevail in a three-way photo in the second of the fillies’ divisions.
The combination of Stewart and Mark Pitt took out the final qualifier with the Always B Miki filly Joyful, who led from the outset and was never in danger of defeat.
Stewart, who won four of the six heats, qualified all 14 of her runners – seven colts and seven fillies – for the $20,000 semi-finals to be held at Tabcorp Park Melton on December 23.
