Verbici maintains his unbeaten record

Verbici (Orlando Vici) continues his relentless march to the top with yet another polished harness racing performance to take out the first heat of the APG VicBred two year old trotters at Melton on Friday evening.

Verbici had swept all before him in his previous five unbeaten starts and last night was no exception in him asserting his dominance.

Showing brilliant speed Verbici easily cleared the lead with the ultra consistent Regal Gala taking a trail. Chris Lang on Verbici was content to maintain a steady pace without overexerting the colt running a leisurely 32.1 seconds for the first quarter.

VERBICI 4 SEP REPLAY

Regal Gala was right on his back and obviously determined to make a race of it. However Lang just allowed Verbici a little more rein on the final bend and although Regal Gala fought on gamely he just couldn’t make up the necessary ground and he finished three metres behind Verbici with Kyvalley Diablo a fair way back in third placing.

Overall Verbic rated 2.2.4 for the 2240 metre trip.

Already the winner of the Nutrien Equine classic Heat and Final at Wagga and the New South Wales Nutrien Equine Classic Final at Menangle, Verbici will look to add to his impressive record in next week’s $100,000 Final at Melton.

The second heat didn’t go the way of punter’s elect Phoenix Rex whose unbeaten run come to an end. In a dramatic race it was the well supported Insulator (Classic Connection) who led all the way but not without some heart stopping moments.

From the pole Insulator had no trouble holding the early lead while Phoenix Rex was inconvenienced early and settled back towards the rear of the field. Michael Bellman allowed Insulator to run along in front which made the task of Phoenix Rex that more difficult. Gradually his driver Ryan Sanderson allowed Phoenix Rex to creep up to race one out off the fence but he was still giving Insulator about 15 metres start.

INSULATOR 4 SEP REPLAY

Then on the leaving the back straight Insulator broke up but then got down rather quickly but it looked as if the damage was done as in the twinkling of an eye Phoenix Rex dashed to lead. He would have got about six metres on Insulator but in the home straight the latter came again and Phoenix Rex had little left as Insulator drew away to beat Phoenix Rex by just over two metres in a remarkable performance.

Dance Dance Dance made up some ground but was a long way back in third. Insulator rated 2.00.9 which was faster than Verbici and looms as a challenger to Verbici in next week’s final if he does everything right.

Insulator won at his debut at Maryborough and clearly has ability when he puts his mind on the job. Phoenix Rex is clearly better than his performance last night and shouldn’t be discounted for next week’s final.

However Verbici’s record speaks for itself and the talented colt is still likely to start a warm favourite next week.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink