Bumper Crop set to reap VicBred success

Outstanding two year old filly Bumper Crop (On A Streak) extended her unbeaten record to four wins following a truly comprehensive harness racing win in the Second Heat of the APG VicBred Super Series Trotters fillies at Melton on Friday night.

A false start did little to unsettle Bumper Crop and from the inside of the second row she was guided along the rails by driver Glen Craven settling three back on the rails. Second favourite Aldebaran Emjay showed plenty of early speed to break up the field as she set a brisk pace in the lead. Zippin Past settled behind the leader while Kyvalley Dixon who broke in the first up, trotted safely in the second attempt to settle back on the rails.

While Aldebaran Emjay was moving along in front Bumper Crop eased off the fence and despite racing alongside the leader she always looked to be travelling comfortably.

BUMPER CROP 4 SEP REPLAY

Bumper Crop quickly put the issue beyond doubt on the final bend and she went to the line full of running just under five metres ahead of Kyvalley Dixon who chased home the winner while Aldebaran Emjay held on for third ahead of Zippin Past.

Trained by Antii Ruokonen at Terang Bumper Crop goes from strength to strength. She showed that she was well above the ordinary with hollow wins in both Heat and Final of the Nutrien Equine series at Wagga in late May.

She is bound to start a hot favourite in the Group 1 $100,000 Final at Melton on Saturday week and its hard to see if there is any other runner that will seriously trouble her.

The other heat winner was the Andy Gath trained Majaro Girl (Majestic Son) who just kept running when Kate Gath took her to the lead. She was never seriously threatened as she strode to the finish ahead of Lolly who battled on gamely and Miss Muscle. Favourite Kyvalley Dixon raced roughly and finished down the track after galloping in the final lap.

MAJARO GIRL 4 SEP REPLAY

Majaro Girl rated 2.1.2 for the 2240 metre trip which was markedly slower than Bumper Crop’s 1.59.7. Still Majaro Girl showed enough pep to suggest she’ll be prominent in the Final despite the fact that Bumper Crop looks head and shoulders above her rivals.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink