Illawong Helios with trainer Ross Sugars and driver Greg Sugars at Maryborough.
Filly Illawong Helios upstaged the two punters’ favourites Claudys Princess and Our Twentyten to take out the Seelite Windows and Doors Victoria Trotters Derby at Maryborough on Sunday.
In front of a big crowd, Greg Sugars gave Illawong Helios, who is trained by Greg's father Ross Sugars, the perfect run in transit in the Group 1 race before overpowering star filly Claudys Princess and colt Our Twentyten in the home straight.
It was a Derby for the ages, with pressure up front right from the start of the 2690m event.
Claudys Princess (Gavin Lang) dashed to the lead at the bell before Chris Alford attacked aboard Our Twentyten down the back straight.
All the while Sugars was biding his time with Illawong Helios and when they swung into the straight he popped out three-wide to stake his claim.
The trio battled it out up the lane with Illawong Helios eventually prevailing victorious, the daughter of Majestic Son scoring by 1.7m over Claudys Princess, with Our Twentyten third another metre away.
Asdenro’s run was valiant, the early leader battling on well despite the strong tempo throughout to finish fourth.
One Over Da Moon over-raced early and weakened out to finish well back, while Imamenace had no luck whatsoever early and finished second-last.
The mile rate for the Derby was 2:01.6.
