Unbeaten Verbici ends season as the nation’s leading two year old trotter

Star youngster Verbici (Orlando Vici) showed that he is head and shoulders above the other trotters with a classic all the way performance to take out the $60,000 Group 1 Aldebaran Park Redwood for two year old trotters at Maryborough on Sunday afternoon.

Despite having swept all before him in his previous eight starts, this was the first occasion that Verbici was to face a standing start. Nonetheless he was a short priced favourite to maintain his perfect record.

And when the tapes were released Verbici trotted away safely although the ever reliable Regal Gala went with him early from the pole before surrendering the lead. Once in front driver Chris Lang steadied Verbici and set about dictating the terms of the race.

Second favourite Phoenix Rex commenced safely as well and early in the event driver Ryan Sanderson sent him around the field where he was to face the breeze. Regal Gala had the run of the race behind the leader while the well performed Insulator was one out and one back.

VERBICI 1 NOV REPLAY

The race stayed like this and in the back straight Phoenix Rex started to apply some pressure and joined Verbici as they rounded the final bend. Verbici drifted off slightly but at that point Phoenix Rex galloped losing all chance. Regal Gala went for an inside run but Verbici still had plenty left and he was able to run out a comfortable winner over Regal Gala by three metres with Insulator having every chance nine metres away in third.

Verbici ran his last two quarters in 28.8 and 28 seconds for an overall mile rate of 2.2.5. Those fortunate enough to witness Verbici racing this season have seen him sweep the classics at Menangle, Wagga and Melton. This is his second Group 1 classic following his success in the APG Super Series at Melton.

Lang has had a special affiliation with the Redwood having previously won the Classic with Kyvalley Road in 2002, Jauriol in 2004 and Andys Favourite in 2005.

Chris Lang was praiseworthy of Verbici and acknowledged the special nature of the Redwood.

It’s a great feeling, obviously it’s sort of a puritan’s race. The Redwood with the standing start makes a little bit of Russian roulette there but all credit to this horse and the way Sonya’s looked after him. He’s a great horse to train he’s like Sonya, he makes me look good, you can’t train them all like this one, but he just does everything we ask basically.

Phoenix Red is a very good horse, so is Regal Gala. Insulated was in the one-one. These are all very good trotters, so you’ve got to go good to win these races. With a  56-eight here, I doubt there’s been many two-year-old trotters run any quicker than that. As it turned out, we got a favourable draw and this guy went away and it all worked out.

He’s amazing. I get asked a lot, is he the best two-year-old I’ve ever trained? And just for the record, so no one has to ask me I’m just going to say yes. He’s had a long season, and the reason he’s been able to keep going through the season is because he’s such a pleasure to train.  He’s not hard on himself, he’s not hard on me. And he’s not hard on our co-trainer. The worst thing I’ve got to do is put up with the owners but it’s a part of the business, so I accept it. But he’s just a pleasure to have around and he’s now earned himself a very good rest and I think me and Sonya need it as well.

Regal Gala ran his usual honest race for second but it seems at this stage that Verbici can only improve further and connections will be eyeing off the three year old classics next season as well as the Trotting Derbies.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink