La Cantatrice makes it three on end in VicBred Heat success

Much improved filly La Cantatrice (Poster Boy) scored her third win on end and arguably her most impressive when she took out the first heat of the APG VicBred Super Series for two year old harness racing fillies at Melton on Friday evening.

And her win was also due to a patient drive by Ewa Justice.

The race was considered a match between New South Wales visitors Soho Aster and Decoupage. Soho Aster looked as if she might hold the lead from the pole but Decoupage showed blistering speed from the outside to take up the running. These two broke the field up with their highly early speed and at one stage were around thirty metres of La Cantatrice who then carted the rest of the field up.

LA CANTATRICE 28 AUG REPLAY

Gradually the field caught up and they raced in single file. Soho Aster came out to challenge Decoupage but Justice stayed on the inside to be right behind the leaders.

No sooner had Soho Aster taken the lead an inside run presented for La Cantatrice and she finished resolutely to hold out the fast finishing Dreams Forever and Soho Aster. The placegetters are likely to meet up in the semi finals.

La Cantatrice is trained by Geoff Webster for the Ballarat and District Trotting Club standardbred group and they’re obviously having a lot of fun with this game and determined filly.

There was no such close finish in the Second Heat as odds on favourite Ideal Frankie (American Ideal) absolutely blitzed the opposition in her effortless win. The race was as good as over as the mobile was released. Ideal Frankie flew out of the gate and driver Mark Pitt just maintained enough of a tempo to be left alone.

Running her last quarter in 26.9 seconds Ideal Frankie was untouched to score by 13 metres from Shes Captivating and Soho Sparkle in third. Its hard to see anything that finished behind troubling Ideal Frankie in the Semi finals.

Ideal Frankie won her first three starts in splendid style before trainer Allan McDonough took her to the Protostar at Albion Park where she found the classy field too good on the night. Freshened up she looked very sharp and will take a power of beating in the $150,000 Group 1 Final at Melton on 12 September.

For good measure driver Mark Pitt added a fourth win for the night when he guided Kahula (Bettors Delight) to a predictable all the way win in the third and final heat of the VicBred for two year old fillies. It was also trainer Emma Stewart’s third win for the night.

Kahula found the lead from her pole draw after being crossed early by outsider Ozzie Tart. Riverina filly Lather Me Up had some support but at the start she was back at the rear.

Kahula breezed along with no visible threat and running her last quarter in 26.5 seconds gave nothing else a chance. Ozzie Tart showed surprising fight for runner up while Onelook battled on for the minor placing.

Kahula is raced by her breeders Bruce and Vicki Edward. They also raced her dam Kualoa who won the VicBred two year old Fillies final in 2018. Kahula will also be looking to repeat that feat in the Final in a fortnight’s time.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink