Cheer The Lady continued her good form heading into Super Sunday.
Sunday saw the second straight day of the final qualifiers for one of the biggest days of trotting on the calendar and Tabcorp Park Melton put on a show with the four-year-old divisions of the Breeders Crown.
In the first race of the day, for the squaregaiters, Rosalie Bay proved why she has been highly touted by many punters when she worked around the field to find the front mid-race and from there it was more of a domination than a race.
The daughter of Monarchy, trained by Brent Lilley, was guided by Chris Alford to a 10-metre win clear of El Paco, Sandys Boy and Mister Gunsen.
Race favourite Sundons Promise was never in the hunt after being out of position at the start.
The race was run in a mile rate of 2:02.3 with the last half coming in 58.7 which was highlighted by a crushing 28.6 third quarter.
The trotters were again at it in the second event and the female theme persisted as Shes An Image continued her return to form with a gritty front row victory.
Backed into favourite, the Victoria Trotters Oaks winner of last season led from five and had enough left in the tank to hold off dual Vicbred Super Series winner Brunelleschi.
Only a half-neck could separate the pair at the post with Zedalite five metres away in third and the lightly raced Shakamond an eye-catching fourth.
The mile rate came in a slightly quicker 2:00.6 and the last half was similarly sharp in 57.7.
The four-year-old pacing mares were pitted against each other in the next two heats and it was a Bonus quinella in the first, even if it was the wrong way around for punters.
Major Bonus, for rising reinswoman Lauren Panella and New South Wales trainer Shane Tritton just held off the well backed Real Bonus in an epic duel.
It was the daughter of Art Major’s first start at Victorian HQ but it was a day to remember for connections as the $26 tote chance led from barrier four and continued running in a 1:57.4 mile rate.
The last half came in 55.8 as Ourbellabro and Modern Mary rounded out the first four.
Born Again Sassy made it two massive wins in six weeks following her Vicbred Platinum win in late June.
A winner of the second heat for the oldest division of pacing mares, the Glenn Douglas-trained and Daryl Douglas-driven daughter of Mach Three led from the widest draw on the front line and held out the death-seat challenge from Light In Every Day in the straight.
A mile rate of 1:56.3 went down in the book with a 56.6 last half recorded.
Im Living The Dream and Bellasario held down third and fourth at the post.
The four-year-old boys had a crack next and odds-on favourite Keayang Steamer was far to strong for his talented rivals.
The Group 2 Paleface Adios Stakes winner from earlier this year was made to work for his win as he was three wide without cover at the bell lap however a crushing 55.8 last half ended the contest.
Lauren Panella was among the first three home for the third race in a row as Theartofdelusion just held Real Magic for second as they hit the line. The mile rate 1:57.0.
The Kiwi connection was to the fore in the next two races and it was Barry Purdon who struck the first blow on the day with last year’s Breeders Crown winner Cheer The Lady.
Two formidable wins under her belt in Victoria this preparation, the daughter of Bettors Delight will be one of the punters picks come Super Sunday following her five-metre win.
It was due to a heady Mark Purdon drive as he elected to extricate the mare from her inside of the second row draw early, giving her space to work into the race at a crucial time.
Carpenters Daughter was a comfortable second from La Machane and Blazeaway McCray who led from barrier five.
The mile rate was the quickest of the day in 1:55.1 with a 56.9 last half indicative of the strong early pace.
Ideal Scott, now under the care of Belinda and Luke McCarthy, made it three for three for the stable in a strong display to hold of Restrepo, who held the lead early before handing up to the favourite.
The gelding by American Ideal came to Victoria with a boom following his last start Group 1 win in the Blacks A Fake at Albion Park, and he delivered in spades.
An extraordinary 53.8 last half of the last mile tells you everything you need to know about his ability to provide a sharp turn of foot at the business end of the race.
Another Kiwi, Besotted, clearly finished third ahead of Kickittochris in the 1:56.3 mile rate.
The Michael Muscat-trained New South Wales invader Heza Presidente threw down the gauntlet in the last heat of the four-year-old boys as he scored a hard fought eight-metre victory.
Working from the second row to sit parked the Breeders Challenge runner up scorched clear in the straight to defeat Royal Witness and Machin Out in a mile rate of 1:57.6. The last half was covered in 56.2.
To view all of the replays from today’s racing simply click here.
