Chris Alford drives Starofsahara to Group 2 victory for Gary Quinlan.
Drouin West’s Gary Quinlan only enhanced his reputation as a trainer gifted at bringing the best out of the young at Tabcorp Park Melton, where his two-year-old claimed Group 2 success.
Starofsahara was driven boldly by Chris Alford and the gelding by Four Starzz Shark out of Sahara Miss just kept on giving to claim the bulk of the $50,000 prize in the Empire Stallions Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic for two-year-old colts and geldings.
“He’s just got better and better each start and hopefully he can just keep progressing,” Alford said of Starofsahara, who was having his third start and recorded his second win. “(Gary) liked this horse right from the very start. He’s been proven right tonight.”
STEWART STABLE DROPS ANOTHER FIVE WINS IN HEAVENLY BURST
Alford signalled his intention to ply for the front in the lead-up and Starofsahara burst from barrier six as though shot from a cannon, paving the way for an all-the-way win by 5.8m in a 1:57.2 mile rate. “He ripped off the gate and just dropped the bit and was always travelling like the winner,” Alford said.
It was a result that delighted Harness Racing Victoria board member Peter Watkinson, who shares ownership of the horse with Bruce Paul. “He’s such a great little horse for us. This is our first Group win for Bruce and myself and the partners.”
At long odds Tulhurst Santanna, for Nathan Hurst, and Looks The Part, for Mario Attard, filled the placings.
There was also plenty of value for punters in the Empire Stallions Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic for two-year-old fillies, when Marylebone broke her maiden status with the Group 2 victory for David (trainer) and Josh (driver) Aiken.
A $10.30 shot, Marylebone was placed into the box seat by Aiken behind favourite and stablemate Artara, and that duo had a cracking showdown in the straight with Marg and Jason Lee’s Keayang Secret, who did a power of work. In the end it was Marylebone who found a gap between Keayang Secret and Artara to win.
“It’s a bit of a surprise this win,” Aiken said. “We didn’t really expect this filly to go through this series and run how she’s run. In the heat it was actually her last chance. If she didn’t go good last week she was actually going out for a spell and we were going to bring her back later on. When a horse comes out and surprises you like that, when you don’t expect to win, it’s always great.”
There were also smiles in Darren Cole’s camp after trotter Super Zeck continued his break-out season with victory in the Group 2 Empire Stallions Vicbred Platinum Metropolitan Trot final. A big Terang ownership group was on hand to toast the victory with driver John Caldow, who wound up from a long way out and held off co-favourite Duchess Ella in the straight.
“(Super Zeck) went really well,” Caldow said. “He was just spot on tonight, 100 per cent, it was probably one of his best runs I thought. It was a bit tricky because I had (Duchess Ella) on my back and I knew Greg (Sugars) would be coming pretty quick. To this horse’s credit … he is strong but he can sprint as well and when Greg came I just went and he held him quite well.”
The night was rounded out with Kate Gath winning the tab.com.au Trot with favourite K D Muscles, having gained the lead from the gate with trainer Andy Gath’s mare and never looked like relinquishing it. “She’s a handy horse and I think she will win a few more races,” Kate Gath said. “Last mile was very quick and she got the job done tonight.”
Media enquiries:
Michael Howard (HRV Media/Communications Co-Ordinator)
t: 03 8378 0286 | e: mhoward@hrv.org.au | tw: @MichaelRHoward
