By Adam Hamilton
Emma Stewart is now the dominant force in Australian harness racing.
If it wasn’t already official, her stunning haul of four Crown finals wins yesterday (Sunday) curtained underlined it.
Stewart went into the stellar 10-race card with high hopes, but also mindful things don’t always turn out as they look on paper.
“Clayton (Tonkin, co-trainer) and I have been to these big days before only have some disappointment, but thankfully most things went our way today.
“This is the best team of horses we’ve had, not just for talent, but for depth, and it was really pleasing to win four of the finals.”
Stewart’s haul started with Rocknroll Magic (3YO filly) and continued with A Little General (2YO Colt/Gelding), Ideal For Real (4YO Entire/Gelding) and Lovelist (4YO Mare).
The depth she mentioned proved crucial with three of wins coming with supposed stable “second-stringers.”
Rocknroll Magic came from behind and easily ran down stablemate Heavens Trend.
“We didn’t think there was much between the pair, but Heavens Trend had the draw so we thought she might win. Rocknroll Magic was brilliant today though,” Stewart said.
A Little General is only Stewart’s second-best two-year-old with the headline act, The Storm Inside, only now resuming training after a life-threatening illness.
“The Storm Inside is better, but gee the little guy deserved this win. He’s just got better and better and he tries so hard. He’s underrated, but The Storm Inside is special,” Stewart said.
Then came Lovelist, who started a $9 shot in a race where Stewart’s buzz mare, Delight Me, was a $1.80 favourite and had to settle for a tiring third.
“We thought Delight Me might be too good, but when Lovelist was able to get around to the lead it gave her a great chance,” Stewart said.
“Lovelist’s run behind Cyclone Kate the previous week was enormous. She’s another who so deserved her win.”
Stewart’s hottest favourite of the day, four-year-old Ideal For Real, certainly delivered.
After working early, driver Gavin Lang surged for the lead and, despite a solid tempo, Ideal For Real left a star-studded field standing on the home bend.
Buzz sit-sprinter Tee Cee Bee Macray stormed home from last, but Ideal For Real won easily and without being extended by Lang.
“We think he’s on his way to being one of the best handful of horses in the land. He showed everyone why today,” Stewart said.
“He had that time with some issues, but it’s been a blessing. He’s really developed into the complete racehorse.”
Despite Stewart’s huge opinion, Ideal For Real looks set to skip the Perth Inter Dominion and dip into the big league through races like the Victoria and Hunter Cups early next year.
“We’ve got Yankee Rockstar, Guaranteed and maybe Restrepo for Perth and they are more seasoned,” Stewart said.
While Lang drove Ideal For Real, Chris Alford took the reins on Stewart’s other three winners and earned high praise from the trainer.
“As great a career as he’s had, I don’t think he’s ever driven better. The aggression he showed at crucial stages on A Little General and Lovelist probably made the different,” she said.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
