Front-running squaregaiters grabbed the spotlight and wouldn’t let go on a terrific Saturday night’s racing at Tabcorp Park Melton.
Kyvalley Hotspur, Keayang Livana and Majestuoso built on their imposing recent form with Group level victories, having dictated terms up front and held all comers at bay.
The Group 2 Niota Bloodstock Tatlow Stakes win was confirmation of Kyvalley Hotspur’s top-end talent for owner Jim Connelly, with the regally bred two-year-old colt producing win number two at start seven.
By Muscle Hill, the Breckon Farms-bred colt is out of Love Ya Doosie, whose only half-brother was I Can Doosit ($1,377,319).
Connelly’s snapped up all three of Love Ya Doosie’s foals, with Kyvalley Hotspur preceded by Breeders Crown Graduate winner Kyvalley Chief ($46,160) and Kyvalley Senator ($29,550).
Little brother certainly kept the good times rolling on Saturday night for trainer Brent Lilley and reinsman Chris Alford, who worked to the front from the gates while lead rivals Watts Up Majestic and Keayang Ninja missed getting away.
Alford gained separation around the final turn and, amid a 58.3-second last half, produced a comfortable seven-metre win from Bullion Harry, with Senitas Strength running on well for third.
“He just seems to be improving all the time,” Alford told Trots Vision. “Tonight once he led he felt enormous and did it really comfortably.”
While most of his race rivals will be eying the Aldebaran Park Vicbred Super Series, with heats for the trotters on December 21 at Maryborough, Kyvalley Hotspur is likely to have a well-earned rest, having been New Zealand bred.
“He’s probably going to have a spell now and he should come back better again next season,” Alford said.
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Keayang Livana on the other hand may well propel into the Vicbred Super Series in winning form, following her Breeders Crown Championship win with an impressive victory in last night’s IRT Australia Matriarch Trot.
The Group 2 for four and five-year-old trotting mares was a willing affair, with plenty of zip early in a 44.8-second lead time and when they backed off slightly Jason Lee guided Keayang Livana to the breeze.
They took a breather in the first quarter but then it was back on again as Monaro Maro emerged three-wide, with Keayang Livana sliding to the front and those two boxed all the way home, with the latter winning by five metres for trainer Marg Lee.
“She probably added a string to her bow tonight,” Jason Lee told Trots Vision post-race. “We all know she can lead and run a quick half, even a quick mile in front, we probably haven’t got to see her too much come from behind yet.
“To go and have to park out, I got around in the best quarter, but the next three or four quarters were really solid. To out-tough the other horse was a really brave effort.”
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There was more trotting brilliance to come as Majestuoso reinforced his standing as Australia’s hottest squaregaiter, dominating The Big Screen Company Coulter Crown.
Following on from a last start win in the Australasian Trotting Championship over the same distance (2760 metres) and under the same standing start conditions, Majestuoso had to overcome his 20-metre handicap and avoid some early breakers before settling into stride.
Reinswoman Kate Gath guided him to the front, with Sammy Showdown also popping out and then taking the favourite’s back, but with no pressure to her outside and Majestuoso happy to cruise in front it was all plain sailing for Gath from there.
A 27.6-second last quarter gapped the contenders and despite easing down the Andy Gath-trained, Norm Jenkin-owned four-year-old gelding comfortably notched a 16th win in his 32nd start and reaffirmed his favouritism status for the February 5 Woodlands Stud Great Southern Star.
“He was much more relaxed tonight,” Kate Gath told Trots Vision. “He obviously got cheap sectionals, but he wasn’t pulling, so I was happy to get those.”
CLICK BELOW TO SEE SATURDAY’S STIRRING WIN BY SIRLETIC IN GAVIN LANG’S SILKS:
