By Adam Hamilton
LIFE just keeps getting better for Nicole Molander.
Just a few days after winning a Breeders Crown final with one-time “problem child” Reina Danzante, Molander has been a big nod of approval by the man himself … Mark Purdon.
Purdon confirmed his top young trotting filly High Gait was staying in Victoria with Molander for the next six months.
And, on Friday night, Molander’s stable star Keystone Del looks to have yet another major race at his mercy in the Group 3 True Roman Trotters’ free-for-all (2240m) at Melton on Saturday night.
Keystone Del is drawn the outside in a moderate six-horse field and looks leagues above his rivals off the back of a record-breaking Melton win three weeks ago.
“He was doing a couple of things wrong in his races at the trials when we brought him back this time, but he put it all together in that latest win,” Molander’s husband, Dean, said.
“We thought it was up the best wins of his career.”
Keystone Del smashed the track record with a 1min54.5sec mile rate for 1720m on August 14 and the second and third placegetters – Maori Time and Claudys Princess – have both won impressively in good races since.
Back to High Gait and Purdon said he was thrilled to be able to leave the filly with Molander.
“Nicole ran my Auckland (satellite) stable when I set it up a few years back and it’s been great to be able to push a horse of two her way,” he said.
“She’s doing a fantastic job in Victoria.”
High Gait’s main target will be the Speed Princess series, which culminates with a final on the huge Great Southern Star card at Melton on March 12, next year.
“She’ll then head back to me for the big three-year-old fillies’ races at home,” Purdon said.
THE Perth Inter Dominion countdown continues when two of Victoria’s leading hopefuls, Philadelphia Man and Flaming Flutter, meet again in the Group 3 Casey Classic (1720m) at Melton on Saturday night.
Philadelphia Man made it three wins from as many runs this campaign when he arrogantly won the Breeders Crown Graduate free-for-all at Melton last Friday.
The Emma Stewart-trained star has firmed to $13 and is on the fourth line of Inter Dominion betting with the Aussie TAB.
Christen Me, who returns at Addington on Friday night, is $5 favourite from Beautide ($5.50) and Lennytheshark ($11).
Beautide is about to resume serious training with trainer-driver James Rattray.
Lennytheshark is having a short break after a very minor injury setback and trainer David Aiken is still confident of having him primed for Perth.
Back to this week’s clash and Philadelphia Man should be too good again from gate four.
The only twist could come if noted front-running speedster Cold Major opts to hold the front from the pole and leave Philadelphia Man to sit parked.
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