Emma Stewart grabs G1 trotting feature

Emma Stewart kicked off her Breeders Crown night with a bang by claiming a rare Group One trotting feature in tonight’s (Nov. 19) harness racing action from Tabcorp Park Melton.

Susan Is Her Name (Sebastian K) took out the $100,000 Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies Trotting Final with a well-timed run after an action packed 2200m affair.

The David Miles trained race favourite Rockinwithattitude (Aldebaran Eagle) was enormous in second after going to war with the New Zealand visitor, Aroha Kenny (Love You), with the pair trading blows for much of the first half mile.

Eventually Brad Williamson relented and took a trailing position, but not before softening up the punters elect and setting up one of the fastest lead times ever seen at Melton (42.9 secs) for squaregaiters of any age or sex.

Rockinwithattitude and her pilot Jayden Barker pinched a couple of soft sectionals and remained in front throughout, before eventually succumbing to the Emma Stewart trained filly 100m from home.

Susan Is Her Name was patiently handled by Mark Pitt and sat near last for much of the G1 feature having started from an awkward barrier of three the second row (10). Despite the favourite having done a stack of work, the Redwood Classic placegetter had to be good launching three and four wide to make her winning claim.

“I was a little bit concerned I was a little way back, but I do know how fast this horse is,” said Mark Pitt post race.

“They had to come back, they did burn early. She deserves that. She’s been runner-up in a few of the nice races, that was well deserved by her.”

SUSAN IS HER NAME REPLAY

She trotted the 2200m journey in a blistering 2:44.8, with a mile rate of 1:58.4.

She is the first progeny of her sire to win a G1 feature in Australasia.

She is bred and owned by Bruce Wyborn.

For complete Breeders Crown Night results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink