Mark elated after achieving 100th Group 1 winner for Stewart

Victorian harness racing trainer Emma Stewart has swept all before her in a glittering career that includes 2685 winners that have accumulated almost $36 million in stakes.

But it was the win by star two-year-old Art Major colt First Responder in the Group 1 Alabar Farms Nutrien Equine final at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday (Aug.27) that put the rubber stamp on Stewart’s amazing career as he provided her with her one hundredth Group 1 success.

Driven by regular stable driver Mark Pitt, First Responder had put the writing on the wall 10 days earlier with an eye-catching second placing in his qualifying heat behind stable mate Petracca when he was forced to face the breeze over the 2300 metre trip, only to be beaten by a short margin.

But reversing their roles in Saturday night’s final made the difference as it was Petracca doing the hard yards in the ‘death seat’ and First Responder enjoying a cozy run on the back of the other Stewart runner in Major Celebrity.

Halfway down the lane, First Responder gained a saloon passage along the pegs and ran away with the $175,000 feature to score by a widening four and a half metres.

FIRST RESPONDER REPLAY

And it was Pitt’s elation as he crossed the line and raised his whip in a salute to Stewart that highlighted how special the victory was to the stable.

“It is honestly one of the biggest thrills I have had in the sport,” said an elated Mark Pitt after the race.

“There was quite a deal of expectation heading into the race with Emma poised on bringing up her 100th Group 1 winner and my adrenaline reached another level when the gap appeared, and I knew we were going to get there.

“First Responder is a very special horse in the making and I am so grateful to Emma and his connections for entrusting me with the drive.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW