Mick Blackmore’s star four-year-old trotting mare Claudys Princess notched one of her best wins on Friday night at Tabcorp Park Melton.
The daughter of Bacardi Lindy/All Finesse sat back early before producing a ripping last half-mile to upstage runner-up Edge Hill by 2.1 metres.
The five-time Group 1 winner began a $1.40 favourite in the Woodlands Stud Breeders Crown Championship for Four-Year-Old Trotting Mares but when leader Edge Hill got away with a 62-second opening half Claudys Princess looked to have a tough task ahead.
When Edge Hill quickened up with 800m to run Claudys Princess responded though, looming strongly on to the leader’s back off the top turn despite a 27.7secs third quarter.
Once she was hard on the back of Edge Hill you always thought Claudys Princess would pack too big a punch late, and she certainly did, champion reinsman Gavin Lang guiding her past Edge Hill in the stretch for a 2.1m win.
Daenerys Targaryen finished third, an extraordinary effort given she galloped and lost enormous ground rounding the final bend before launching again late.
Claudys Princess rated 2:00.3 and has now won 19 races from 30 starts.
Brent Lilley-trained Maori Time ran her rivals ragged in the Woodlands Stud Breeders Crown Graduate Trotters Free for All, taking the 2240m race out in 2:01.5 for driver Anthony Butt.
Maori Time flew the start to work around Vics Cheval, who took the trail. Once in front Butt controlled the tempo to perfection, a 63.9secs opening half setting the smart daughter of Pegasus Spur/Sundonna up to dash home.
Maori Time finished off in 57.1secs (28.3secs and 28.8secs), knuckling down strongly in the straight to beat Vics Cheval (Josh Aiken) by 4.7m, with Glenferrie Typhoon (Kate Gath) third beaten 7.6m by the winner.
Maori Time rated 2:01.5.
Other Friday night winners at Melton were Crazy Dave (D M Dilinger/Myrina) for Gary Bailey and Chris Alford at big odds in the Alabar Breeders Crown Graduate Cup over 1720m in 1:54.3, Lexus On The Beach (Somebeachsomewhere/Panoramic Lady) in the IRT Breeders Crown Consolation for Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings for Steve and Amanda Turnbull in 1:56.9 over 2240m, Glenferrie Blade (Mach Three/Glenferrie Inn) for Craig Demmler and Jodi Quinlan in the Woodlands Stud Breeders Crown Consolation for Three-Year-Old Fillies over 2240m in 1:59.2, Our Twentyten (Muscles Yankee/Regal Volo) for Lilley and Rodney Petroff in the Woodlands Stud Breeders Crown Championship over 2240m in 2:01.6, Professor Tom (Art Major/Petes Dream) for Gary Quinlan and Gavin Lang in the Woodlands Stud Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Consolation in 2:00.1 over 2240m, Naked Majesty (Majestic Son/Starcus) for Andy and Kate Gath in the IMV Technologies Breeders Crown Consolation for three-year-old trotters in 2:03.5 over 2240m, Whirily School (Courage Under Fire/Mayhappen) for Emma Stewart and Greg Sugars in the Alabar Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Fillies Consolation in 2:01.4 over 2240m, and Princess Venom (Yankee Spider/Princess Marauder) for trainer/driver Rita Burnett in the Aldebaran Park Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Trotters Consolation in a rate of 2:06.4.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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