Verbici and Bumper Crop triumph in Trotters Nutrien 2YO

Exciting gelding Verbici (Orlando Vici) maintained his unbeaten harness racing record with yet another wonderful performance in the $75,000 Steel Supplies Nutrien Series Two year Old Trotters Final at Wagga on Saturday evening.

The race didn’t really turn out as most pundits expected when Verbici didn’t go to the lead as most had presumed. Instead he was beaten out by Regal Gala who was then taken on by Corporate Affairs. With Sumthin Different racing outside the leader suddenly Verbici was three back on the rails and his chances of getting a clear run didn’t look promising.

VERBICI 30 MAY REPLAY

However Chris Lang eased off the fence with Verbici on leaving the back straight and in the twinkling of an eye he had gathered up the field and he drew clear on straightening to comfortably defeat Regal Gala by fourteen metres with San Antonio finishing on for third.

Verbici ran 1.57.5 for the 1740 metres which was just over four seconds faster than his Heat win. Verbici’s dam Verbier won four races going 1.59.6. At stud she produced the winner Fredrhys but unfortunately after that she missed five times before producing Verbici. She now has a yearling colt by King Of The North.

Bred by Yabby Dam Farms Verbici has proved himself the best two year old trotter of the boys so far this season with three wins and he looks to be a main contender for the Group 1 Redwood at Maryborough in late October.

However the $75,000 Truckline two year old fillies final saw a stylish performance turned in by the unbeaten Bumper Crop (On A Streak).

In a bit of scare before the event, Bumper Crop had to pass a veterinary examination before being declared fit to run.

Despite looking to be the testing material with her Prelude win, pundits also backed Aldebaran Emjay who had looked impressive in her debut at Geelong and Queensland filly Im Frankee was also supported.

There were a few gallopers at the start but fortunately the three favourites all commenced safely to avoid the trouble and lead the field.

Im Frankee showed great speed to go to the lead and James Herbertson on Aldebaran Emjay settled behind the leader while Glen Craven on Bumper Crop settled in third placing.

Going into the back straight Bumper Crop sidled up to race alongside Im Frankee and Aldebaran Emjay looking to have the last crack at them. However she galloped for no apparent reason which put paid to whatever chance she may have had.

BUMPER CROP 30 MAY REPLAY

Bumper Crop went a little wide on the final bend but she quickly had the better over Im Frankee who fought on well but was no match for Bumper Crop who came away for a 12 metre win. Bumper Crop’s winning mile rate of 1.58.7 was just one second behind Verbici.

It was a well deserved win for her trainer Antti Ruokonen who hails from Finland and applied his horse training skills as part of the Lee and Craven stable with great success.

There doesn’t seem to be a great deal between Verbici and Bumper Crop although the former has a brilliant sprint while Bumper Crop is a big striding filly who gives the impression she will relish the longer journey.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink