Notanotha Naughty makes amends in Gold Coronet Trotters Final

Former classy two year old Notanotha Naughty (What The Hill) showed that he is back to his best with a devastating harness racing win in the Listed $60,000 Yabby Dam Farms Gold Coronet Final for trotters at Bathurst on Saturday evening.

Notanotha Naughty was lucky to qualify as he galloped in his Heat finishing fifth. However in the Final he was on his best behaviour. The Brent Lilley trained Deep Love was solidly backed into favouritism and he went straight to the front for Cameron Hart.

Heat winner Cee Cee In Paris obtained the one out and one back trail with Gladiatrix also on her best behaviour racing outside the leader. Nathan Jack had Notanotha Naughty perfectly positioned one out and two back. Deep Love looked to have plenty in reserve even when Cee Cee In Paris issued a challenge on the final bend. Gladiatrix went to the inside.

But it was Notanotha Naughty who had by far the best finishing sprint and he quickly put the issue beyond doubt with a convincing eight metre win over Gladiatrix who ran a much improved second while the other heat winner Im Havintotrot finishing on for third without ever looking likely to trouble the winner.

Notanotha Naughty is raced by Hugh Cathels who until recently trained the gelding but transferred him to Glenn Hunter who’s achieved a great deal of success with top trotting mare Gatesys Gem.

As a two year old Notanotha Naughty won the Redwood Classic at Maryborough but his form seemed to have tapered off. However not that he is back he now ranks as a serious Derby prospect while Gladiatrix showed that she’s ready to break through and show some of that dazzling form of last season as a two year old.

The Gold Coronet was an initiative supported by the Bathurst Harness Racing Club, Harness Racing New South Wales and the generous sponsorship of Yabby Dam Farms.

It’s a welcome addition to the ranks of New South Wales trotters but it hasn’t been able to lead to regular racing in the Bathurst region which has tried previously to stage trotters races. The next big test for trotters races in New South Wales will be when Wagga will run the Nutrien Series for two and three year old trotters. They’re likely to get a strong contingent from Victoria but the real test will be whether this legacy can lead to more trotters races in the Riverina being staged regularly.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink