Emma Stewart scored seven winners at two meetings across 12 hours as Saturday's Tabcorp Park Melton double-header proved a major hit.

Talented youngster Beautiful Woman kicked off the brand new morning timeslot with victory for the Cardigan trainer before smart veteran Freddy Funk completed the seven-peat with success in the last event of the night card.

There were a host of winners in between for Stewart, but none were as slick as Major Times, who recorded the fastest winning mile rate of the day's 15 races. Taken straight to the lead by reinswoman Jodi Quinlan, the five-year-old was never headed in the Alabar Pace (1720m, NR 90 to 120) on his way to a comfortable win in 1:53.5.

The triumph was his 15th in a 36-start career that has netted nearly $200,000 for connections.

"He went well last week and Clayton (Tonkin) thought he had trained on from that run and thought he was a chance of really pressing forward and finding the front," Quinlan said. "He got that nice breather the second quarter, so he was able to rip home the last two."

Major Times' stablemates Like A Wildfire, Rocknroll Ronnie and Freddy Funk helped complete the Stewart quaddie on Saturday night after Beautiful Woman, Abouttime and Mirragon all saluted in the morning.

Connor Clarke and Greg Sugars were the most prolific of the reinsmen across the two cards with three winners each.

The early meeting was beamed live to the United States and broadcaster Dan Mielicki was quick to get the new audience on side with a memorable call of Kaudo's victory in the Alderbaran Park Trot (2240m, NR 46 to 55).

As trainer-driver Michael Cole surged to the lead in the wet conditions, Mielicki roared "oh this baby loves the slop, eats the slop! His father was a mudder, his mother was a mudder and Kaudo charges clear and wins easily!" Of course, Milecki was referencing the famous Seinfeld episode, which includes a similar line.

The victory was the first leg of a race-to-race double for Cole, who also scored with Trevean in the TAB Long May We Play Pace (1720m, 4YO and older NR 47 to 51).

Harness Racing Victoria General Manager of Racing Stephen Bell said early indications were that punters didn’t mind an early start with "turnover at a level we hoped for".

"I haven’t got the numbers from the USA just yet but our correspondent has indicated it was well received," Bell said. "Fifteen races at headquarters on a day was a challenge for all involved but everyone, including staff and participants, did an amazing job to put on a great show."

Melton is host to another Saturday double-header next weekend, with a morning meeting followed by an evening program.

 


 

 

TROTS VISION: HEAR FROM SATURDAY NIGHT'S WINNING DRIVERS IN ALL CLEAR