Some High edges out Lake Como in second take of VicBred Final

A nasty accident proved to be Mark Pitt’s good luck to the opposite for Kerryn Manning after the running of the APG VicBred Super Series for two year old colts and geldings at Melton on Saturday.

On the first take, Auston fell after trying to hold out the favourite Lake Como and much of the harness racing field was severely interfered with. Subsequently the event was aborted and all horses and drivers were inspected for a retake.

Auston and The Midnightnexpress were passed unfit. Mark Pitt looked shaken but was declared fit to continue his driving engagements. However Kerryn Manning who also took what seemed to be heavy tumble was up on her feet but she was declared medically unfit to drive for the remainder of the evening.

Pitt who had been engaged on Auston was then able to take the drive on Some High (Ride High).

However on the second take favourite Lake Como sped to the lead but looked to have broken some gear while in the lead. Some High who was second favourite was eased right back to the rear. Smack Bang Bart charged around the field to face the breeze.

SOME HIGH 12 SEP REPLAY

Pitt eased out Some High going into the back straight and he unleashed a strong burst to move up three wide. Some High moved nearly a length clear on the final bend but Lake  Como wasn’t to be denied and he fought back determinedly as the two slogged it out down the home straight.

In a desperate finish Some High prevailed over Lake Como by a neck from Lake Como with Fully Reckless in third. The mile rate of 1.56 included a final quarter of 27 seconds which made the effort of Some High caught wide even more meritorious.

Despite the earlier incident Pitt was still able to express his thoughts on the race.

I think the adrenaline’s kicking in at this stage, but I’ll probably be a little bit sore and bruised tomorrow, but that’s all part of it. We can’t lay down on these nights, you know. We’ve gotta step up and these are the nights that everyone wants to be here and drive on so we’ve just gotta press on.

But this guy, look, he done a marvellous job. Probably thought I was in a little bit of trouble at the bell. I was sort of a long way off him and then he cruised through the lead time and  first quarter was pretty steady. ButI knew they’d really pick it up, but I thought I would need to get there before they really pick it up, and I probably tried to put him away a little bit early really, but in the end it paid off.

It can change the race completely with a couple of scratchings. But I just had to have a quick squizzy through the form again and it all changes when15 minutes, 20 minutes ago I was sort of on the 1 horse (Auston) and then end up being on the 10 horse (Some High). It’s great to be able to pick up the drive again on him, but it’s just incredible you know, that Clayton and Emma, they could’ve put someone on him else seems that I had a little bit of a mishap earlier. But they stuck strong and, yeah, I’m fine. So yeah, we’ll be pressing on.

Pitt and Stewart combined again to take out the two year old pacing fillies final with the diminutive Kahula (Bettors Delight) who ran her rivals off their legs. Then they struck again when the brilliant filly Bettor Beach (Bettors Delight) scored with consummate ease in taking out the three year old pacing fillies final to give them four Group 1 events on the program.

For complete race entries, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink