Trotters return to Wagga with Nutrien Trotters Preludes

Trotting enthusiasts in the Riverina were given a treat on Tuesday evening with the running of the Nutrien Equine Preludes for two and three year old each having separate events for fillies and colts and geldings.

Harness Racing in the Riverina is traditionally an all pacing region and over the years apart from the odd trotting race at Albury there hasn’t been anything of relevance.

Given the predominance of the Victorians in the trotting field, they constituted the majority of the runners with three representatives from both Queensland and New South Wales.

In the Yabby Dam Farms three year old colts and geldings division Munny The Munster who narrowly went down in the recent New South Wales Trotters Derby was installed a hot favourite with fellow Victorian The Preacher the only other runner having some support.

THE PREACHER 19 MAY REPLAY

However The Preacher (Pastor Stephen) showed a welcome return to form with a strong win. Chris Alford on The Preacher won the start early but elected to give away the lead to Iconic Image who trotted faultlessly to take up the running. This left Munny The Munster racing outside the breeze. The Queenslander Kicking Horse broke in the score up and was tailed off thereafter.

Despite have a hard run Munny The Munster swept to the lead as Iconic Image didn’t show much resistance. The Preacher was snagged back along the rails and Munny The Munster cleared away with what appeared to be a winning break. However The Preacher set out in pursuit and down the home straight raced past Munny The Munster to win by eight metres with Brother Mountain a distant third.

The Preacher’s mile rate of 1.58.6 broke the previous record for 2270 metres which was previously held by Orlando Storm.

At his only previous start this season The Preacher who is trained by Jayne Davies ran a credible second against open class trotters and was obviously a lot fitter last night. Munny The Munster was far from disgraced and he will surely be better for that effort.

The Aldebaran Park two year old fillies saw the clash of two runners who had won their only race start, namely Bumper Crop (On A Streak) and Queensland filly Im Frankee the latter being heavily supported into a clear favourite.

BUMPER CROP 19 MAY REPLAY

In a keen dispatch the first starter Musclem showed plenty of early dash to lead. Cameron Hart who had made the trip from Sydney elected to take a trail behind Musclem while Glen Craven settled in third on Bumper Crop ahead of the other first starter Kyvalley Dixon.

As the field packed up, Bumper Crop came off the rails to race outside the leader while Kyvalley Dixon moved into the one out and one back trail.

Bumper Crowd surged to the lead while Im Frankee was looking for a clear run. However Bumper Crowd had established a winning break and she was able to hold off Im Frankee by three metres with Kyvalley Dixon a similar margin away in third.

Bumper Crop is trained by Antti Ruokonen at Terang who has developed a real knack with trotters. Now unbeaten in her two appearances she’ll be hard to beat in Saturday week’s Final but Im Frankee won’t be that far away.

In the Wingate Farms two year old colts and geldings event all eyes were on the Victorian Verbici (Orlando Vici) who created a huge impression winning at his only appearance at Bendigo on 6 May.

VERBICI 19 MAY REPLAY

Starting from the pole, Chris Lang had no trouble holding the early lead and his chances were enhanced when second favourite Regal Gala galloped out effectively losing all chance.

Lang seemed more intent on holding Verbici together and although he drifted off the fence on turning for home he was never going to lose and he held off a determined effort by Sumthin Different and Corporate Affairs. As indicated he cruised along in the lead running his last quarter 28.2 seconds and he looks the testing material for the Final on Saturday week.

In the Yabby Dam Farms three year old fillies division Jilliby Aura was backed into favouritism ahead of fellow Victorians Aldebaran Ada and Hallebesofine.

ALDEBARAN ADA 19 MAY REPLAY

But to the consternation of her supporters Jilliby Aura broke up after the start and was back at the tail of the field. Desiring Diamonds showed good early speed to take up the running Hallebesofine taking the trail and Aldebaran Ada in third place.

Jilliby Aura caught the field and was still in with a chance. Desiring Diamonds although giving a good sight in the lead was over racing. Hallbesofine came off the fence in the back straight while Taylor Youl on Aldabaran Ada stayed on the inside to be right in contention on turning for home where at this point Jilliby Aura broke up again.

Aldebaran Ada charged through and came away to record a convincing win over Hallebesofine by four metres with Desiring Diamonds in third placing.

The Finals of the Trotters will be held at the Riverina Paceway on Saturday 30 May with the two year old finals worth $75,000 each and the Three year olds $150,000 for each of the colts and geldings and fillies.

This Friday the Heats of Nutrien Pacers Series will be staged and keen racing is ensured.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink