by APG Media
WITH a strong hand in Saturday night’s Ladbrokes Australian Pacing Gold Final, record-breaking horsewoman Emma Stewart doesn’t need any additional help.
Not only has Stewart got four runners in the Tabcorp Park Melton-based Group One, a pair of her representatives are the two favourites.
While those factors are enough to suggest the $322,000 event is Stewart’s to lose, the leading Victorian trainer also has a pair of omens in her favour.
Since the feature’s inception in 1991, only three trainers have qualified four or more fillies for the Final – all Victorians and all came away with the win.
Noel Alexander was the ground breaker in 1997, scoring with Tailamade Lombo, which led home a stable quinella at Moonee Valley.
Alexander’s partner, Jayne Davies, followed suit in 2001 as Espeshlimade Lombo outclassed her rivals in Brisbane.
A sister to Tailamade Lombo, Espeshlimade Lombo headed a stable trifecta as Lombo Bella Petite and Copy Cat Lombo filled the placings.
Peter Manning completed the elite group when Leilani Lombo was too slick in Brisbane.
As for Stewart, she is expected to capture the Final with exceptionally-bred filly Molly Kelly.
Unbeaten from three starts, the daughter of Four Starzzz Shark has drawn barrier five, but slots into four with the removal of the emergency.
That is enough to see Molly Kelly listed as the $2 favourite, with her stablemate Nostra Beach the second elect at $3.80.
Nostra Beach won her first two starts before finishing second behind Molly Kelly in their semi last weekend.
Nostra Beach hasn’t fared as well as her stablemate in the draw, which will see the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere begin from nine.
Stewart also has Typhoon Tilly from gate four and Pistol Abbey in barrier six, with the pair among the outsiders of the field.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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