Swinging Queen and Don Hunter take APG Finals

Young driver Zara Fitzpatrick scored one of her most important wins when in a thrilling finish Swinging Queen (King Of Swing) outlasted her harness racing rivals in a gripping four way go in the $100,000 APG Fillies Final for two year olds.

Peachesncream who had so impressively won the Prelude the week prior, was installed a warm favourite despite a wide draw and as predicted driver Cameron Hart went for the lead over Mac Tilly although she had to do some work in running the first quarter in 27.5 seconds. She did get a breather in the next quarter doing 30.9 seconds.

Meanwhile Fitzpatrick was able to manoeuvre Swinging Queen into the one out and one back trail. Father Blake was trailing with Sophies Wish and Paiges Boulder, Jarrod Alchin’s second string was getting up as well.

Peachesncream couldn’t draw clear of the field as Swinging Queen issued a serious challenge and then Sophies Wish and Paiges Boulder both made their runs. It was a desperate finish and Peachesncream was fighting back to almost draw back to the lead.

SWINGING QUEEN 13 JUN REPLAY

However Swinging Queen put her head in front at the right time to just nose out dad Blake on Sophies Wish with Peachesncream just in advance of Paiges Boulder.

Swinging Queen’s success gives King Of Swing his first major classic success. She is out of the Somebeachsomewhere mare Match Point Serena. She also has a Lather Up yearling colt Doingitforus.

It proved to be a wonderful night for Zara as earlier in the night as she also the in form four year old mare Your Majesty (Majestic Son) continued her success winning the Ultra Air Trotters Handicap.

The colts division was won in classy fashion by the beautifully bred Don Hunter (Huntsville). Up against only five rivals in a disappointing Final Don Hunter repeated the success  of his Prelude win.

Revvin Reynard showed plenty of early toe after Lochinvar Jazz galloped at the start. However Luke McCarthy on Don Hunter allowed the showy looking colt to find the lead. From then on Don Hunter never looked in any danger and shaken up in the straight when Revvin Reynard stuck with him merely strode clear to win by just over nine metres while Wicked Motion stuck to his guns for third.

DON HUNTER 13 JUN REPLAY

Don Hunter ran 1.53.4 for the mile including his last quarter in 26.4 seconds and is looking ominous for the forthcoming Breeders Challenge later this season. If he was to contest the Group 1 Protostar he would have to be seriously considered.

Don Hunter was the top purchase at the APG Yearling sales and went to prominent owner Tony Licastro who bought the colt for a group of owners for $140,000. He looks every inch a star in the making.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink