Howdy Mate back to his best in VicBred Super Series Heat win

Howdy Mate (Elite Stride) is starting to reproduce the harness racing form of juvenile days as evidenced by his heat win in the APG VicBred Super Series for three year old trotters at Melton on Friday evening.

Despite his good form, Howdy Mate was second favourite behind the highly rated Keayang Bazlenka who was resuming after a spell when he finished sixth in the New South Wales Trotters Derby.

HOWDY MATE 4 SEP REPLAY

Not surprisingly noted New South Wales speedster Superior Stride showed his typical early dash to cross over The Preacher while Howdy Mate’s driver James Herbertson was content to race three back on the rails. Meanwhile Jason Lee on Keayang Bazlenka was in no rush early and he dropped out to be near the rear of the field.

However with the pace being set by the leaders, at one stage Keayang Bazlenka was around 40 metres from the front and he gradually worked around the field but was still spotting a decent start.

Superior Stride was still travelling boldly along the back straight but it was obvious that Howdy Mate was looking ominous as he strode up to the leaders. The Preacher went for an inside run but despite having a tendency to hang in Howdy Mate showed too much class in winning with Superior Stride hanging on for third ahead of Keayang Bazlenka.

The field ran their last two quarters in 28.6 and 29.4 which may explain why Keayang Bazlenka struggled to make up much ground.

A year ago Howdy Mate won the Nutrien Equine Classic as a two year old while finishing runner up in the APG Super Series Final so trainer Jess Tubbs will no doubt he hoping that the gelding goes one better in next week’s $100,000 Final.

He’ll need to be at his very best because Pastor Dunbar (Pastor Stephen) looked awesome in winning the second heat. Arguably the nation’s best performed three year old Pastor Dunbar started well from the pole but was headed early by Mister Devereaux who then eventually gave back the lead to the favourite.

Once in front driver Damian Wilson kept Pastor Dunbar’s mind on the job and the colt was always looking the one to beat. His main danger Imhavintotrot was caught facing the breeze while the other main prospect Unclad was in a zip fastener pocket three back on the rails.

PASTOR DUNBAR 4 SEP REPLAY

Mister Devereaux was giving a bold run as Imhavintotrot started to weaken and he actually pulled out in the home straight to issue a challenge. However Wilson kept Pastor Dunbar’s mind on the job and he still looked to have a good deal in reserve as he held off Mister Devereaux by 3 metres with Unclad finishing well along the rails without looking likely to trouble the winner. And running his last quarter in 28.4 seconds for good measure topped off a masterful performance by Pastor Dunbar.

Pastor Dunbar has already proved his worth winning the New South Wales Trotters Derby in May as well as a star studded field in the Holmfield Trot at Melton two starts back and he looks to be getting better with each run.

The third and final heat was taken out by hot favourite Munny The Munster (Love You) who was simply too classy for his rivals. Confidently driven by Stacey Towers found the lead after setting down and always looked the one to beat.

His task was made easier when his main rival the well performed South Australian Idealogy galloped as soon as the mobile was released and he ended back at the rear.

MUNNY THE MUNSTER 4 SEP REPLAY

I Choose You was behind the leader while Jet Plane was three back on the rails. And that’s how they finished although Jet Plane galloped towards the finish but he was well clear of the remainder of the field and retained his position.

Munny The Munster could only finish seventh in the Holmfield but he atoned for that run last night and looked sharp running his last quarter in 28.4 seconds.

 

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink