Driver riding the wave to $150,000 Group 1 success

What a year it has been for Victoria harness racing driver Mark Pitt.

After being sidelined for more than three years, the 28-year-old has come back with a bang and driven 64 winners since returning on February 2 this year.

Pitt created history in Tasmania last month becoming the first driver in Australian harness racing history to win nine races at the one meeting.

That happened at Launceston on April 16 where he won the Group 1 Easter Cup with Longfellow during his winning haul.

He has added another Group 1 to his tally after winning tonight’s $150,000 Australian Pacing Gold Bullion Final for the two-year-old fillies with Major Delight at Melton.

“It has been a great comeback,” Pitt told Trotsvision.

“I do like to look down the track and also keep a spotlight on my next drive.

“It has been a big achievement to be as successful as I’ve been since being back.”

Pitt has driven Major Delight in her two successful starts to date.

Leading all the way in tonight’s feature, the win gave trainer Emma Stewart her 97 Group 1 wins.

“This filly has a bright future and proved pretty green tonight,” said Pitt.

“She’s a lovely bred filly, a big filly with a lot of ability and a lot of speed.”

Major Delight rated a slick 1:54.8 and is regally bred being by Bettors Delight out of the Art Major mare Lady Euthenia, a Group 1 winner herself and earner of $461,285 in stakes.

MAJOR DELIGHT REPLAY

Lady Euthenia, a winner of the Bathurst Gold Tiara, NSW Sires’ Stakes and Breeders Challenge, has had five foals for four winners including Max Delight.

The dam was bred and raced by Peter Lewis who has also bred and owns Major Delight.

For complete Saturday Melton results, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink