Triumphant Monarch burst through late to win the Breeders Crown final for 3YO Trotters
Triumphant Monarch struck another blow for the Australian contingent on 2012 Blue Chip Farms Breeders Crown day as he rallied late out wide to take the Group 1 Crazed Breeders Crown final for three-year-old trotters.
The son of Monarchy was originally trained by Tony Herlihy in the Shaky Isles and will again return to the master horseman later this week, however while in Australian Chris Alford was charged with his preparation.
The now $2 million dollar man had his squaregaiter in top form going into the race however the New Zealand trained Cyclone U Bolt started a $1.75 favourite to take the day to two-all in the trans-Tasman contest.
Third favourite Aldebaran Shades ($4) took up the early running for Chris Lang Jr however Rosalie Bay ($12) sped off the mobile from barrier five to land in front of the polemarker who worked off the pegs and reclaimed the lead going out of the straight the first time.
The early moves in the race left Triumphant Monarch ($6) awkwardly placed three-back on the pegs and the task became more daunting when the odds-on favourite raced around the field to find the death-seat midway through the race.
When the race started to unfold down the back the final time, Cyclone U Bolt raced up to be level with Aldebaran Shades while Triumphant Monarch looked for room in behind the tiring Rosalie Bay. Just as the favourite raced to the lead and looked the likely winner, Triumphant Monarch picked up the bit and worked home quickly to win by 5.3-metres in a last quarter of 29.8.
Aldebaran Shades weakened visibly late to run fourth and try as he might, Cyclone U Bolt was overhauled for second late by Amour Stride ($41) who followed the eventual winner into the race.
Triumphant Monarch has now won 7 races from his 27 attempts and has proved the mainstay of this year’s series after taking out the opening heat in New Zealand back in late June.
