Talent is coming to the fore among the three-year-old trotting fillies as some of the most hyped contenders for the Aldebaran Park Vicbred Super Series title show they are turning potential into performance.
I Am Pegasus and Georgias Pride continued what looks set to be a long-time friendly rivalry between the pair respectively trained by Joe Vassallo and Mario Magri, who each head up small teams near Melton and will carry winning hopes into the July 5 final.
As will trainer Paul Males and reinsman Zac Phillips, who have enjoyed New South Wales and Victoria trotting Oaks success with Royal Charlotte and look well-placed to add the $100,000 Vicbred crown with their high speed Majestic Son filly.
That trio stamped themselves as contenders in Wednesday night’s finals at Geelong, but all qualifiers will be optimistic that a good draw at Tabcorp Park Melton this Saturday and a twist of luck will have them in the finish come the big dance.
I Am Pegasus and reinsman Chris Alford blasted to the lead from gate six in the first of the heats and was left to her own devices until the 800m when Georgias Pride, who had sat in the breeze throughout, advanced to sit outside the leader.
They would separate from the field in a 29.5 third quarter, with I Am Pegasus holding a length’s advantage over her rival to score a sixth victory for the Pegasus Spur filly in nine outings.
“She was really solid tonight. She put in one little funny step about the 450, but apart from that she was perfect,” Alford told TrotsVision.
“She just has a bit of trouble when she gets the back row, because she just likes to run the gate so hard, so hopefully she gets a front row draw in the final and should be hard to beat.”
There is similar confidence in the Royal Charlotte camp, with reinsman Zac Phillips largely unmoved as his filly danced to a comfortable victory ahead of leader Peregrine Phoenix and Majestic Dream.
“She’s always had relatively good ability, but the penny’s definitely dropped this time in,” Phillips told TrotsVision.
“Her manners let her down early in her career, she’s a Majestic Son out of a Sundon mare, so she was always going to be challenging. Paul and Kari (Males), I say it time and time again, their ability to take their time with horses like this is a credit to them. They reap the rewards in the long run.
“She’s a funny horse, but as far as high speed goes I don’t think I’ve driven many horses faster than her.”
The draws for the July 5 trotting and July 6 pacing Group 1 finals will be held at Tabcorp Park Melton this Saturday night as part of Alabar Vicbred Super Series semi-finals night. All barrier draws will be streamed live at www.thetrots.com.au.
More on the Vicbred Super Series:
- 2YO pacing: Emma Stewart serves up a magnificent seven on night one of Vicbred
- 3YO pacing: Vicbred Super Series night two brings 3YO Delight
- 4YO pacing boys: Major change in the four-year-old Vicbred heats with new champ to emerge
- 4YO pacing mares: Guns fire as Vicbred front-running mares set the pace
- 2YO trotting fillies: Jax, Dizzy and Galah step right to kick-start Vicbred trotters
- 2YO trotting boys: 2YO trotting teams relieved as big boys impress in Vicbred Super Series
- 3YO trotting boys: Little separates 3YO trotting boys as Super heat stokes at Geelong
