TWO future superstars of harness racing stole the show at Tabcorp Park Menangle today in the rich finals of the Pepper Tree Farm NSW Breeders Challenge for two-year-olds.
Heavens Trend dazzled in the fillies’ final, rating a slashing 1:52.9 in beating Hot Shot Woman and outsider Boundtobemad.
And while Kiwi champion Mark Purdon was left smarting after his unbeaten youngster Golden Goddess faded to finish fourth after a hard run in that race, it didn’t take him long to make his mark on this big day of six Group Ones.
Purdon was straight back into the winners’ circle half an hour later when his unbeaten Somebeachsomewhere youngster Our Waikiki Beach, who scored the strongest of wins, taking out the two-year-old boys final, winning his ninth race in succession.
Posted in the breeze for the 1609m journey, Our Waikiki Beach simply outstayed his rivals, rating 1:53.7 to beat Match In Heaven and El Major by 3.4m.
And while Victoria’s gun reinsman Gavin Lang admitted Heavens Trend did not have a lot of fuel left in the tank in beating Australia’s best fillies, Purdon hinted Our Waikiki Beach was really ready to go on with things after beating the colts and geldings, with his biggest and best win so far.
“Heavens Trend wanted to put them [rivals] away on the home turn and she is a free-running filly who likes to do things her way,” Lang said.
“I rate this youngster, for sure, but I won four Group Ones on a two-year-old named Self Denial in 2003, so this horse has a lot to live up to if she is going to equal that.
“But she’s certainly heading in the right direction.”
Meanwhile Purdon admitted the $125,000 colts and geldings final didn’t pan out quite how he thought it would on paper with Our Waikiki Beach forced to do it tough, racing without cover for the entire journey.
“But he was good enough to overcome a hard run and still prove too strong at the finish,” he said.
“He’ll probably head to Victoria for the Breeders Crown next. He’s really filled out and I expect him to go on with it now.”
For more information, contact Racing Manager David Wonson (02) 4645 2200.
By MICHAEL COURT
Editor-In-Chief, National Trotguide
Driving the Future of Harness Racing