AMERICA here we come.
That’s something Victorian dairy farmers and harness hobbyists John and Mary Meade never thought they’d say.
Now it’s reality as they pack their bags to head to New York of all places with their pride and joy, their star trotter Sparkling Success
And, judging by his farewell Aussie run, Sparkling Success is primed o do everyone proud in the $US1 million Yonkers International Trot in New York on October 13.
John Meade looks to have timed the preparation well with two sound placings to open this campaign then a pair of dominant Melton wins.
Sparkling Success sat parked with driver Chris Svanosio controlling the tempo while his only real danger, Kyvalley Blur, two back in the running line.
Svanosio put paid to the leader, El Paco, rounding the final bend, opened-up and big league and easily held-off a game Kyvalley Blur to win by 3.4m in a slick 1min55.9sec mile rate for 1720m.
They dashed home in56.5 and 27.7sec.
What an exciting time for Down Under harness with Lazarus commanding so much attention in North America and an in-form Sparkling Success headed his way.
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NOW we are starting to see why Team Tritton thinks former their Kiwi pacer My Alpha Rock is Inter Dominion material.
The sixth year-old posted his fourth successive Menangle win and this time ran a personal best and broke with the 1min50sec barrier with a sparkling 1min49.5sec mile last night (Saturday).
All this from a wide draw and being part of a slick 26.8sec opening quarter then splits of 28.1, 27.2 and 27.4sec.
“We’ve always liked him and have given him time. He’s really gone to the next level these past few runs,” Shane Tritton said.
“The plan is to take him down (to Melbourne) for the Victoria Cup (October 13) and then the Inter Dominion later on.”
My Alpha Rock has won eight of his 11 starts since joining Team Tritton at the end of last year,
Shane and Lauren Tritton also have Inter Dominion hopefuls Franco Nelson and Gotta Go Ya Hu.
The other key winner at Menangle was Steve Turnbull’s emerging five-year-old Joes Star Of Mia, who sat parked to win the Group 3 Dahua final in a 1min50.9sec mile.
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STILL on the Inter Dominion theme and gifted Victorian pacer My Kiwi Mate is another headed that way.
Craig Demmler’s gelding has always shown Group 1 potential and his Melton win in The Gammlite (2240m) at Melton last night (Saturday) was the most “complete” of his career.
More renowned for his lethal sit-sprint style, My Kiwi Mate worked early, was stuck wide, drifted back to last and then came five and six-wide around the entire field to snatch a half-neck win.
All this in a slick 1min55.2sec mile and closing splits of 57 and 28.2sec.
It’s been a fantastic training effort from Demmler to nurse My Kiwi Mate back from a bone chip in a back fetlock which required an operation.
Demmler has often likened My Kiwi Mate’s potential to Breenys Fella, who he drove in a string of major races for his father, Ted, including second to Shakamaker in the 2000 Inter Dominion final.
My Kiwi Mate’s win came at only his second run on the comeback trail, which saw him spend between October 14, last year and August 24 this year off the scene.
Some of his best runs so far have included a second in the 2015 Queensland Derby, 3rd in the 2015 Breeders Crown 3YO final and 4th in the 2016 4YO Harness Jewels.
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SAD news during the past week with the passing of popular and highly-talented pacer Messini.
The former classy Kiwi juvenile, who spent most of his open-age career in Victoria, passed away last Wednesday.
“It’s been a terrible morning for us all at Lilley racing with the passing of our brave warrior Messini. Will be missed around the place that’s for sure. RIP mate,” tweeted Brent Lilley.
Messini raced 97 times for 26 wins, 28 placings and earned a thumping $711,711.
His major wins included the 2018 Bendigo Cup and Group 1 victories in the 2015 Vicbred 4YO final and 2014 Vicbred 3YO final.
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EMERGING WA pacer Vampiro is one of many who will be glad when Chicago Bull leaves the state for major races in Victoria and NZ.
While not in the Chicago Bull league – certainly not yet anyway – Vampiro has raced through the grades for Greg and Skye Bond to be on the next level.
And he confirmed it with another impressive Gloucester Park win, this time in free-for-all class, last Friday night.
It was his third successive win at the track and he made the most of a good trail and lovely Ryan Warwick drive to easily account for Chicago Bull’s talented stablemate, Runrunjimmydunn, who worked outside the leader, Natural Disaster.
Despite the dawdling midrace tempo of a 62.6sec middle half, Vampiro was simply too quick in an official 55.9sec closing half to win by 2.9m.
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