Favourites thrash rivals in QBRED Trotting Finals

The favourites in the first two QBRED Trotting Finals decimated their opposition with massive margins of victory, while the third may have demolished them if luck had been on his side.

It started with the Grant Dixon-trained and driven Fredidrivsamercury (Muscle M Up) who settled at the tail of the field early before surging three-wide with a lap left to run. With 600m left to run, he motored quickly to overtake the field and lead with 450m left. From there, he cruised down to the line to win by 12.6m ahead of Iconic Image. Third-placed Desiring Diamonds finished 28.7m from the winner.

Fredidrivsamercury rated 1:57.5 for the 2138m, winning his fifth race at his 11th career start and the first at Group 2 level. He was sent out as the $1.80 favourite.

FREDIDRIVSAMERCURY 22 AUG REPLAY

Next up, it was the QBRED 4 & 5YO Trotting Final.

Five-year-old mare Pinnie (Volstead) looked a graded certainty, being an NR105-assessed trotter. The next highest in the race was Northern Heights, rated an NR70. As such, Pinnie jumped a $1.18 favourite.

It was her first run for Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen, after previously being trained by Andy Gath in Victoria.

Entering the race, she had previously won a Free For All Trot at Melton over Jilliby Dreamlover, the winner of the Group 1 The Great Square.

Pinnie worked forward to find the lead in the QBRED Final, controlling the affair until McMullen let her stretch out with 400m left to travel. She quickly dropped the chasing pack, sprinting home in 27.8 seconds to win by 32.6m from Laydownluna and Phoenix Red who filled the minor placings.

PINNIE 22 AUG REPLAY

The final race on the program was the Group 2 QBRED 2YO Trotting Final.

Once again, the favourite was able to win, although this time, by a much smaller margin. Although circumstances would dictate the margin.

Unbeaten Victorian trotter Phoenix Rex (Trixton), trained by Steven Loftus, was cleaned up by a galloping rival at the start, with driver Ryan Sanderson lucky to stay in the sulky. The colt must have been at least 70m away from the leader as he gradually closed the margin over the next lap. He tacked on with 700m left, settling six-back on the pegs. Phoenix Rex then sprinted home from the 400m to run down Im Frankee and win by 2m.

The future looks bright for the colt after recording his fourth career win from as many attempts. The mile rate was 2:05.8 for the 2138m standing-start event, with the final quarter run in 30.1 seconds.

PHOENIX REX 22 AUG REPLAY

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Trent Orwin for Harnesslink