24 August 2018 | APG Media
CAN Australian Pacing Gold purchase Centenario join an elite group of two-year-olds?
In a season where the leading contenders for Victorian Horse of the Year are evenly-matched, Centenario has a primed opportunity to claim the coveted title at Tabcorp Park Melton tomorrow night.
Boasting eight wins and two seconds from 10 starts, Centenario is the favourite to add the Breeders’ Crown Final to his impressive tally.
As it stands the Emma Stewart-trained colt is already a dual Group One winner thanks to his performances in the Australian Pacing Gold and Vicbred Super Series Finals.
Glory during his pending Group One appearance would go a long way to clinch the mantle for the son of American Ideal.
Should Centenario be crowned Victorian Horse of the Year he will become just the fourth two-year-old on the honour roll, which began in 1973.
Garry’s Advice was the ground breaker in 1981 thanks to his 20 wins from 21 starts, followed by Lombo La Fe Fe in 2002 and Lombo Pocket Watch in ’06.
Successful in his Crown heat and semi, Centenario has drawn barrier four in the $290,000 decider, but slots into three with the removal of the emergency.
To be driven by Chris Alford, Centenario’s biggest threat comes from his stablemate, Hurricane Harley, which has drawn gate five with Mark Pitt in the cart.
Also an Australian Pacing Gold purchase, Hurricane Harley has won six of his eight starts, with his two deafest coming in the APG and Vicbred Finals.
“They are both in tremendous shape and will be hard to beat,” Stewart said. “Centenario has the wood on Hurricane Harley so far, but it won’t take much for that to change.
“I pretty much cannot split them and it will come down to the runs they have.”
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