Last night’s meeting at Melton saw two feature races the VHRSC Classic for the open class pacers and The Harness Breeders Victoria Blossom Lady named after one of New Zealand’s very best race mares.
The VHRSC Classic was won by Major Crocker, the South Australian owned, Victorian trained pacer who missed a race last week when the second half of the meeting was cancelled due to a flash storm.
Major Crocker began well from barrier five but was caught three deep before pressing on to find the top, after half a lap, from Five Star Anvil who held the early lead when challenged by Tasmanian visit Devendra.
Meanwhile odds on pop Lennytheshark was sitting back in pack, while the early speed was on but driver Chris Alford took off coming in for the bell to sit outside Major Crocker.
Greg Sugars, on Major Crocker, once he found the front was able to back off the pace running the first half of his last mile in leisurely 61.6 seconds but then went down the back in 29.3 before sizzling home in 26.7 to record a mile rate of 1.56.3 beating Lennytheshark by 2.1 metres with Five Star Anvil third.
Major Crockers win was a tonic for owner Gary Crocker who lost his mother last week and Major Crocker’s dam Aratusa Lass slipped a foal to Somebeachsomewhere.
Major Crocker is looking to make the top 30 for the Perth Inter Dominion he was originally ranked 61 but has moved 55 at second ranking no doubt he will come under serious notice from the power brokers in WA.
The Harness Breeders Victoria Blossom Lady was taken out by the Amanda Turnbull trained and driven Betabcool a 5 year old by Bettors Delight who put in a huge effort after being three wide early before finding the breeze outside leader McRita.
Turnbull sent the heavily backed favorite to the lead before on the turn for home and held off My Bella Star and Earth Angel who looked the winner in the straight but died on her run.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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